Newspaper standoff in Mexico

In the state of Oaxaca, a standoff between a newspaper and its opponents is on the front page of every major newspaper's website and is beginning to attract international attention.

The employees of the newspaper Noticias had been inside their building for the past month, producing their newspaper in spite of threats from PRI-backed unions and local politicians. It should be noted that while the PRI are trying to play this as union rights, not a single employee at the newspaper has agreed with the union.

On Monday, after 31 days, those employees were forced out of their office by masked men who used axes to destroy the press equipment. Witnesses said that in spite of the masks, the could recognize some of the attackers as local police officers. The Fox government is finally getting involved, but it will have a hard time against the local PRI government in Oaxaca which is run by Governor Ruiz.

Blogger Go Leech blames the federal government for not getting involved earlier in this case or in a similar case that occurred with Canal 40. In the Mexican national media as well, while most of the blame is going to Gov. Ruiz, there is definitely some blame being given to the federal government and President Fox for waiting too long to act.

If you want the good news, the newspaper employees haven't let the eviction stop them. They are producing the paper from a remote location. And their website, while not completely updated, has a few new stories posted today, mostly about the standoff.

Go visit Noticias de Oaxaca's website. Today, it's journalism at its best.


UPDATE: (5:30, July 21): A couple more links on this story as it gains wider coverage.

Yesterday, more than 1,000 protesters marched in favor of the newspaper in the capital of Oaxaca. Meanwhile, El Universal reports that Oaxaca state Governor Ruiz will hold a dialogue and allow international press freedom NGO's to participate. That would be a good first step, but I don't expect much to come of it.

Back in English, the New York Times and the LA Times both report the "union" has taken over the newspaper building. The New York Times also ran a story a few days ago about the newspaper continuing to publish.