Mexico City Condemns Criminalization of Journalist Carmen Olsen Amid Organized Crime Threats
A disturbing trend of intimidation against journalists is unfolding in Mexico, with independent reporter Carmen Olsen facing direct threats from individuals claiming affiliation with organized crime. The situation highlights the escalating risks faced by media professionals covering sensitive issues in Baja California and underscores the urgent need for governmental protection of press freedom.
On March 27, a video circulated on social media featuring hooded individuals leveling accusations against Olsen, alleging she was working to “destabilize the current governance” by spreading misinformation and discrediting the State Citizen Security Force (FESC) in Playas de Rosarito. The video resurfaced this month and has since gained traction across various news platforms.
Did you know? – ARTICLE 19 is a global institution advocating for freedom of expression. They work to protect journalists and hold governments accountable for attacks on the press. Their name refers to Article 19 of the Global Declaration of Human Rights.
Olsen, a veteran journalist with a long-standing career in Baja California, has consistently reported on both political and security matters throughout the state. According to ARTICLE 19, a global organization dedicated to protecting freedom of expression, Olsen has previously been the target of attacks, threats – including incidents involving municipal police – and a deliberate campaign of judicial harassment.
“This type of speech seeks to criminalize journalists, attributing to them actions that correspond to crime,” a spokesperson for ARTICLE 19 stated.”it puts journalists at risk, as it attempts to justify not only violent actions against them, but even arbitrary legal actions like those that Carmen Olsen has already suffered.”
Reader question: – How can governments better protect journalists from threats and intimidation? What specific actions should be taken to ensure their safety and allow them to report freely without fear of reprisal?
The organization emphasizes that critical reporting should be viewed as an exercise of free expression and a fundamental right of access to information for the public – not as an act of aggression.The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) asserts that authorities have a clear obligation to foster an environment where journalists can operate safely.
“It is the obligation of the authorities to adopt a public discourse that contributes to preventing violence against journalists and that does not expose them to greater risk,” the IACHR states, “and also constantly, clearly, publicly and firmly recognizing the legitimacy and value of journalistic work, even when the information disseminated may be critical, inconvenient and inopportune for the interests of the government.”
In response to the escalating threats,ARTICLE 19 is demanding that authorities in Playas de Rosarito and Baja California unequivocally reject the criminalizing rhetoric directed at Olsen. The organization is also calling for public statements that actively contribute to the journalist’s protection, aligning with the established standards set forth by the IACHR.
The case of Carmen Olsen serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in Mexico and the critical importance of safeguarding their ability to report freely and without fear of retribution.
