CDMX – The president said he has always been respectful of the press and does not use offensive language to refer to journalists.
Andrés Manuel López Obrador assured that he has never used any kind of language that stigmatizes journalists, that in his morning conferences there is a “circular dialogue,” and that he only uses his right of reply.
“I have never used a language that stigmatizes journalists, I want to stigmatize corruption here what is always a circular dialogue before was not used that the press was subjected, with honorable exceptions now there are full freedoms and the only thing done here is to inform citizens,” he told journalists members of an international mission that is in Mexico to know the situation in terms of freedom of expression.
One of the members of the mission asked López Obrador if he was committed to supporting the role of journalism in society, even though it is critical of the government.
“I have always respected everyone. I don’t see them as enemies, but as adversaries,” the president replied.
Questions at his morning conferences made by journalists, have unleashed from the president and his followers, multiple disqualifying names toward the press such as: “Journalism mafia”,”fifi press” “prostituted press”, “conservative journalism,” “chayoteros”, “maiceados” and multiple times the sarcastic expression “champions of transparency and honesty”.
Since March, the organization Article 19 warned that the president’s expressions against the press could encourage attacks against journalists and increase the level of vulnerability and risk they face in the most dangerous country to exercise freedom of expression. Reporters Without Borders described Mexico as the most dangerous country without war to practice journalism, only behind Afghanistan and Syria.
Since López Obrador became president of Mexico, 13 journalists have been murdered.
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