UNESCO Director-General denounces murder of media owner Jorge Armenta Ávalos in Mexico

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has condemned the killing of Jorge Armenta Ávalos, founder and owner of the online and print media company Medios Obson, in Obregón in the Mexican state of Sonora on 16 May.

One of the two police officers who were in charge of protecting the publisher was killed in the attack and another was injured.

“I condemn the murder of Jorge Armenta Ávalos,” said the Director-General. “This ruthless attack on a journalist and on the police officers who were there to protect him, provides yet another tragic illustration of the imperative need to end the impunity enjoyed by all too many criminals who resort to gunpoint censorship to stifle freedom of information and open debate.”

Jorge Armenta Ávalos was under government protection due to earlier threats to his life.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.