Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, placing Mexico 122nd out of 180 countries. The group notes Mexico remains the deadliest country for journalism in Latin America for at least 15 years. RSF describes its two-place improvement from 2025 as illusory.
RSF's 2026 World Press Freedom Index, released this Thursday, confirms over 150 journalists killed and 28 disappeared in Mexico since 2000.
Artur Romeu, RSF's Latin America director, stated Mexico is “the most violent country for journalism” in the Americas for at least 15 years. Despite rising from 124th to 122nd compared to 2025, its score dropped from 47 to 45 points between 2022 and 2026. “That does not reflect a real constatation of concrete improvement made by the country; it is rather the result of a stronger deterioration of countries above Mexico,” Romeu explained.
Violence remains the main risk, with nine journalists killed in 2025 and twelve under President Claudia Sheinbaum's government, started in October 2024. Killings concentrate in states like Guerrero, Veracruz, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas since 2000. RSF warns of structural failures in state protection mechanisms after at least ten protected journalists were murdered.
In the Americas, 14 of 28 countries are “difficult” and 17 worsened from 2025. Globally, over half of countries face “difficult” or “very serious” press freedom situations.
