Mexico: Bishop condemns killing of journalist
Source: Fides
The Bishop of the Diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa, Mgr Salvador Rangel Mendoza, has condemned the murder of the journalist, Cecilio Pineda Birto which took place in Ciudad Altamirano, Tierra Caliente, and said that organised crime "tries to silence the voices of journalists."
The prelate said that in Tierra Caliente, and in particular in Ciudad Altamirano, "there is too much tension". He called on the authorities to pay more attention, while he calls on criminals to "respect the lives of others."
"Unfortunately we are living in this climate of insecurity, especially for journalists who write and give information. These criminal groups want to silence their voices, which is why they kill them", said the Bishop, adding that "It is not the only case registered in the state of Guerrero."
Mgr. Rangel Mendoza, who has acknowledged that being a journalist "is a difficult profession. Ee cannot accept murder to silence their voices; also because they represent the voices of the people, the community."
Cecilio Pineda Birto was murdered on the evening of March 2 while washing his car at a petrol station. The annual report of 'Reporteros sin Fronteras' 2016, was published a few days ago. Latin America has a terrible toll: 31 journalists murdered. As in 2015, Mexico is still the first of the black list, with 13 murders. Followed by Guatemala (8), Brazil (4), Honduras (3) and Venezuela, Peru and El Salvador with one murder for each country. Mexico comes as the third most dangerous place in the world for journalists.