Four news photographers were wounded in an attack by unidentified assailants on Tuesday in the violence-ridden southern Mexico Chilpancingo.
Authorities in the Pacific Coast state of Guerrero confirmed that the journalists were taken to a hospital, but the severity of their injuries remains undisclosed.
Rising Concerns for Press Safety
This incident follows closely on the heels of the abduction of three journalists in Taxco, also in Guerrero state, further highlighting the perilous environment journalists face in the region.
The targeted photographers, all seemingly affiliated with local papers or news sites, were attacked just outside the local army barracks as they returned from covering an event, according to the press group Reporters Without Borders.
The authorities are treating the incident as a case of attempted murder, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The motive behind the attack is yet to be determined. Guerrero has been a hotbed of violent clashes between various drug gangs and cartels, contributing to a hazardous atmosphere for journalists.
This incident marks one of the most significant mass attacks on reporters in one location in Mexico since 2012 when three news photographers were found murdered in Veracruz. Those killings were attributed to the once-powerful Zetas drug cartel.
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54 Journalists Killed in Mexico in the Last Five Years
The recent abduction of three journalists in Taxco, their subsequent release, and the lack of clarity on the motive for their kidnapping further underscore the ongoing threats faced by journalists in the region.
With a backdrop of deadly turf battles among drug gangs and cartels, the safety of media professionals is increasingly compromised.
The Committee to Protect Journalists documented the killings of at least 54 journalists in Mexico in the past five years alone, reflecting a broader pattern of violence against the press in the country.
The international community continues to express deep concern over the deteriorating situation, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to protect journalists and ensure freedom of the press.
The recent attack on four photographers in Chilpancingo adds to the alarming trend of violence against journalists in Mexico, particularly in regions marked by drug-related conflicts.
As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, the safety of journalists remains a paramount concern. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges journalists face in their pursuit of truth and underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures to safeguard the press in Mexico.
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