Deadly Days for Journalists in Mexico

Nine journalists were slain in Mexico in 2006, putting the death toll second only to war-zone Iraq. In a country where corruption and narcotics trafficking are the top headlines, native journalists trying to cover these stories often find themselves the target of threats, go missing, or end up dead. Here are those who gave their lives in 2006:

• Jaime Arturo Olvera Bravo: Freelance photographer and former correspondent for the daily La Voz de Michoacán, shot at close range in the neck on March 9, 2006.

• Ramiro Téllez Contreras: Radio reporter in Tamaulipas state, received threats before being shot twice in the neck, once in the knee on March 10, 2006.

• Enrique Perea Quintanilla: Founder and editor of Dos Caras, Una Verdad, a monthly publication covering unsolved murders and drug trafficking, dumped on a roadside in Chihuahua on Aug. 9, 2006.

• Brad Will: Cameraman with Indymedia, filming Oaxaca protests when shot on Oct. 27, 2006.

• Misael Tamayo Hernández: Editor of the leading regional daily El Despertar de la Costa, found murdered in motel room in Guerrero on Nov. 10, 2006.

• José Manuel Sánchez Nava: Former editor of the daily Excelsior and a columnist for the daily El Sol de México, stabbed to death in his apartment, Nov. 16, 2006.

• Roberto Marcos García: Crime reporter in Veracruz, knocked off his motorcycle and shot several times after receiving threats, Nov. 22, 2006.

• Adolfo Sánchez Guzmán: Of radio Xhora Ori Stereo 99.3, found shot dead Nov. 30, 2006, in Veracruz two days after being kidnapped.

• Raúl Marcial Pérez: Editorialist on regional daily El Gráfico in Oaxaca, armed men burst into newspaper office and shot him down on Dec. 8, 2006.

Press-freedom organization Reporters Without Borders tallies these grim numbers after establishing that it was the journalist’s profession that caused his or her death. Unfortunately, many of these deaths occur in lawless regions when the police investigation will simply scratch the surface and close the case — particularly if you have corrupt police, like in Mexico, who could very well be on the bankroll of the same drug kingpins shooting the journalists who are covering their activities.

Reporters Without Borders originally had one more journalist on the Mexico list for 2006, then took him off when it was determined that he was killed in a family feud.