San Luis Potosí marks freedom of expression week as Article 19 outlines challenges facing journalism

Freedom of expression took center stage in San Luis Potosí, where lawmakers, university specialists and civil society representatives gathered to examine the pressures facing journalism today.

The event, promoted by federal deputy Héctor Serrano Cortés, featured an analysis and recommendations from Article 19. The organization described freedom of expression as a broad right strengthened by its democratic function and called for a practical definition of journalist that includes digital communicators.

Article 19 also highlighted the need to apply a three-part test when restricting expression, reserve criminal law as a last resort and prevent the state from presenting itself as the arbiter of truth. Pedro Cárdenas Casillas, an official with the group’s Protection and Civic Space Program, said regulations must comply with constitutional and inter-American standards and include meaningful participation from the journalism profession.

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Any regulation must comply with constitutional and inter-American standards and include the meaningful participation of the journalism profession.

Marco Clavel Alessio Robles, legal coordinator of Article 19’s Information Ecosystem and Technology Program, praised the openness of the San Luis Potosí Congress to dialogue. Serrano Cortés said the legislature would “always defend freedom of expression and fundamental rights.”

The program also included a keynote conference by UNAM legal and communications specialists Ernesto Villanueva Villanueva and Manuel Granados Covarrubias. Sara Rocha Medina, president of the state legislature’s governing board, said the meetings reaffirmed freedom of expression as a central priority for the legislative agenda.

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Always defend freedom of expression and fundamental rights.