On Friday evening, armed commandos kidnapped local journalist Moisés Sánchez Cerezo from his home in Medellín, Veracurz. The publisher of La Unión, a local newspaper which has exposed municipal crime and corruption, Sánchez is a dedicated reporter, photographer, and community leader. He is the 15th journalist to be killed or disappeared in Veracruz since 2000. Veracruz Governor, Javier Duarte (PRI), under whose administration much of the assault on the freedom of expression has unfolded, downplayed Sánchez’s role as a journalist, referring to him as a “taxi driver” and “community activist.” Nevertheless, he cast suspicion on Medellín Mayor, Omar Cruz Reyes of the rival PAN, whose administration has borne the brunt of the criticism in La Unión, for rising crime and vigilantism, and abysmal municipal services. Sánchez did most of his journalism pro bono, posting photographs of local crime scenes and the minutes of community meetings on his facebook page, in addition to publishing La Unión. The State Government of Veracruz has promised to investigate the case and bring the perpetrators to justice, but they have little credibility to stand on in such cases. Follow the case: proceso.mx/?p=392100 aristeguinoticias/0301/mexico/donde-esta-moises-sanchez-el-periodista-fue-levantado-en-veracruz/
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 17:34:01 +0000