Strengthen FEADLE After Journalist's Murder, Demand Advocates; Seek Transfer of Press Attack Cases

An association of journalists and free expression advocates is demanding a thorough overhaul of Mexico's Special Prosecutor's Office for Crimes Against Freedom of Expression (FEADLE). The call comes in the wake of the assassination of journalist Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar in Oaxaca. Periodismo y Libertad de Expresión stated that an integral review of FEADLE's operations is urgently needed to assess its effectiveness, responsiveness, and results in investigating and prosecuting crimes against journalists.

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it is urgent to carry out a comprehensive review of the functioning of the Special Prosecutor's Office for the Attention of Crimes Committed against Freedom of Expression (FEADLE) of the FGR.

The association argues that FEADLE must promptly and effectively assume jurisdiction over all common law investigations involving journalists or media outlets in their professional capacity. They contend that corruption, impunity, and a lack of independence within various state prosecutor's offices make it essential for FEADLE to exercise its constitutional power of attraction, avoiding excessive formalities that delay access to justice.

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All common jurisdiction investigation files in which journalists or media are involved in their journalistic work must be promptly and effectively taken over by FEADLE.

Furthermore, the group highlighted the increasing number of civil proceedings for moral damages filed against journalists. They called for a review to ensure these lawsuits are not being used as mechanisms for censorship or as strategic litigation designed to inhibit freedom of expression. The association also expressed concern over the misuse of procedures related to political violence, particularly when public officials employ them disproportionately to inhibit, sanction, or restrict journalistic work.

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Corruption, impunity and lack of independence that persist in various State Prosecutor's Offices make it essential for this institution to exercise the faculty of attraction provided for in the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, avoiding excessive formalisms that delay access to justice.

"The protection of political rights must coexist with the full guarantee of freedom of expression, preventing any legal figure from being used to silence public scrutiny or limit democratic debate," the association stated. They emphasized the need to strengthen institutions responsible for protecting journalists in light of rising aggressions, threats, and legal intimidation. The group also called for the federal government to maintain ongoing dialogue with journalists, communicators, and human rights defenders through regular national, state, and municipal meetings to identify risks and develop protective policies.

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The protection of political rights must coexist with the full guarantee of freedom of expression, avoiding that any legal figure is used to silence public scrutiny or limit democratic debate.