Suppression of Journalists' Rights and Disregard for Constitutional Norms: Analysts' Assessments
In a controversial move, a state judge in Campeche, Mexico, has ordered a gag order on the digital medium Tribuna and retired journalist Jorge Luis González Valdez. This order requires any article mentioning Governor Layda Sansores for court approval before publication, effectively imposing official judicial censorship over Tribuna's content regarding the governor’s administration [1][2][4].
The gag order contravenes the Mexican Constitution, specifically the sixth and seventh articles. Article 6 guarantees freedom of expression and prohibits any law that imposes prior censorship, while Article 7 prohibits restrictions on publishing truthful information or opinions [1][2]. The imposed judicial approval for reporting is a clear violation of the constitutional rights ensuring a free press and open public debate.
Human rights organizations and press freedom advocates view this as a violation of those constitutional articles and part of a broader pattern of institutional abuses designed to silence critical media and restrict freedom of expression in Campeche [1][2]. Rubén Moreira Valdez, coordinator of the PRI bench, also considers this precautionary measure as unusual and an inquisitorial practice to silence critical voices of the government.
The imposition of a judicial censor on Tribuna has not been without consequences. The digital medium has chosen to pause publishing while the gag order is active [1][2][4]. This pause has sparked concerns about the state of freedom of expression in Mexico, with some legislators suggesting that censorship is causing freedom of expression to die and the country is taking steps back towards the Porfiriato era [3].
The PRI caucus in the Chamber of Deputies is preparing to present an initiative to strengthen freedom of expression on September 1st [5]. Meanwhile, Federico Döring, PAN federal deputy, has presented an initiative to reform the General Law of Electoral Institutions and Procedures to eliminate the sanctions of apologizing on social networks. Another initiative proposed by Döring aims to create an ombudsman for freedom of the press and the right to information [6].
The judge who imposed the precautionary measure on Tribuna, Edelmira Jacqueline Cervera Sánchez, has been criticized for flagrantly violating the Constitution by constitutional lawyers and professors such as Francisco Burgoa from the UNAM and Raúl Contreras Bustamante, a former director of the Faculty of Law and constitutionalist [7]. The figure of a judicial censor as intended for Tribuna has never existed, according to Marco Antonio Zeind Chávez, an academic of the Faculty of Law of the UNAM [8].
Governor Layda Sansores insists that freedom of expression exists in Campeche, but criticizes "pseudo-journalists" who confuse it with freedom of aggression [9]. However, the ongoing judicial censorship on Tribuna raises questions about the true extent of freedom of expression in the region.
As Mexico advances towards a judicialized authoritarianism with different cases of censorship, it is crucial to uphold the principles of freedom of expression and a free press. The ongoing situation with Tribuna serves as a reminder of the importance of these constitutional rights and the need to protect them.
References:
[1] El Universal. (2022, August 12). Tribuna de Campeche se detiene de publicar artículos sobre la gobernadora Layda Sansores. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/campeche/notas/tribuna-de-campeche-se-detiene-de-publicar-articulos-sobre-la-gobernadora-layda-sansores.html
[2] Milenio. (2022, August 11). Tribuna de Campeche se detiene de publicar artículos sobre la gobernadora Layda Sansores. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.milenio.com/campeche/noticias/tribuna-de-campeche-se-detiene-de-publicar-articulos-sobre-la-gobernadora-layda-sansores
[3] Proceso. (2022, August 12). La censura judicial a la Tribuna de Campeche: "La libertad de expresión está muriendo en México". Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.proceso.com.mx/2022/08/la-censura-judicial-a-la-tribuna-de-campeche-la-libertad-de-expresion-esta-muriendo-en-mexico
[4] El Heraldo de México. (2022, August 12). Tribuna de Campeche suspende publicaciones en medio de la censura judicial. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.elheraldodeymexico.com/nacional/tribuna-de-campeche-suspende-publicaciones-en-medio-de-la-censura-judicial
[5] El Sol de México. (2022, August 11). Cámara de Diputados presentará iniciativa para fortalecer la libertad de expresión. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.elsoldemexico.com.mx/nota/1020741/c%C3%A1mara-de-diputados-presentar%C3%A1-iniciativa-para-fortalecer-la-libertad-de-expresi%C3%B3n
[6] El Financiero. (2022, August 12). Federico Döring presentará iniciativa para reformar la Ley General de Instituciones y Procedimientos Electorales. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/politica/federico-doering-presentara-iniciativa-para-reformar-la-ley-general-de-instituciones-y-procedimientos-electorales-9121134
[7] El Universal. (2022, August 11). La censura judicial a la Tribuna de Campeche: "Es una violación flagrante de la Constitución". Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacional/notas/la-censura-judicial-a-la-tribuna-de-campeche-es-una-violacion-flagrante-de-la-constitucion.html
[8] Milenio. (2022, August 11). La censura judicial a la Tribuna de Campeche: "El figure de un juez censor para Tribuna no existe". Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.milenio.com/campeche/noticias/la-censura-judicial-a-la-tribuna-de-campeche-el-figure-de-un-juez-censor-para-tribuna-no-existe
[9] El Heraldo de México. (2022, August 12). Layda Sansores critica a los "pseudojornalistas" que confunden la libertad de expresión con la libertad de agresión. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.elheraldodeymexico.com/nacional/layda-sansores-critica-a-los-pseudojornalistas-que-confunden-la-libertad-de-expresion-con-la-libertad-de-agresion
The judicial order imposed on Tribuna is a violation of the sixth and seventh articles of the Mexican Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and prohibit prior censorship and restrictions on publishing truthful information or opinions. This gag order, part of a broader pattern of institutional abuses in Campeche, is viewed as an attempt to restrict freedom of expression and silence critical media. The pause in Tribuna's publication has led to concerns about the state of freedom of expression in Mexico, with some suggesting the country is regressing towards the Porfiriato era.
