Freelancers in Mexico - A Survey - Findings and Challenges

This report from the Rory Peck Trust is an investigation into the situation of freelance journalists in Mexico. With the support of the Open Society Institute, the Trust carried out focus groups and an online questionnaire reaching more than 300 freelancers in 16 out of 32 federal states in 2007, contributing to the report on freelance journalism.

According to this document, between 2005 and 2007, in Mexico, 18 newsgatherers were killed, and five disappeared, four newspaper offices were the targets of bomb attacks, and many newsgatherers were injured and threatened. As stated here, "freelance journalists struggle to provide objective reporting on crime, conflict and corruption in their communities, but often bear the brunt of violent reprisals against the media. Threats can come from all sides - the police, the military, drug traffickers, organised criminals, corrupt officials. This increasing violence is effectively censoring freelancers from telling the stories their fellow Mexicans, and the rest of the world, desperately need to hear."

The study found that freelance journalism in Mexico is frequently considered a trade, rather than a profession; and wages are, therefore, at a lower level. Media provision of contracts, either verbal or written, is not a common practice; and unions or associations of freelance journalists are also scarce. As stated here, "The problems, shortages and needs of freelancers in Mexico are not being discussed or examined collectively or at an organisational level. This limitation extends to the lack of dialogue with editors and media executives." The Trust organised 'The Good Practice Forum' in Mexico City in June 2007 to highlight the need to seek discussion and take the first step towards forming basic agreements between editors and freelancers. Priorities included discussing their common ground, and then proceeding to different kinds of agreements related to efficiency and professionalism, training and social benefits, and safety. Among the freelancers’ expressed requests were basic journalist courses and training in new technologies, first aid, and training in covering of high-risk stories, including crime and natural disasters.


Of those surveyed, half of the freelancers had received threats, 40% of which were primarily verbal. The data showed that the freelancers attributed half of the threats to government, police, or military, 9% to drug traffickers, and 29% to the general public. They most frequently reported threats to their employers and to human rights organisations. As stated here, 34% preferred not to report these attacks to authorities due to a distrust of the justice system.

The Trust included safety codes from the Reporters without Borders (RWB) safety charter and the International News Safety Institute (INS) in the "Freelancers in Mexico - A Survey - Findings and Challenges" publication. The RWB principles include:
1. Commitment of the media, public authorities and journalists themselves to assess and reduce the risks in war zones or dangerous areas by consulting each other and exchanging all useful information.
2. Free will - acceptance by media workers of the risks attached. Also, because the acceptance of assignments is a personal commitment on the part of the journalists, meaning that they go on a strictly voluntary basis, the implication is that there is the right to refuse such assignments without explanation and without there being any finding of unprofessional conduct. There is also a right of termination at the request of the reporter or the editors upon consultation.
3. Experience - editors should choose staff or freelances who are mature and used to crisis situations, particularly those who have special skills and experience. Journalists covering a war for the first time should not be sent there alone, but be accompanied by a more experienced reporter. Teamwork in the field should be encouraged.
4. Preparation should encompass training on a regular basis including first-aid training, in how to cope in war zones or dangerous areas will help reduce the risk to journalists.
5. Equipment - editors should provide special correspondents working in dangerous areas with reliable safety equipment (bullet-proof jackets, helmets, and, if possible, armoured vehicles), communication equipment (locator beacons), and survival and first-aid kits.
6. Insurance - journalists and their assistants working in war zones or dangerous areas should have insurance to cover illness, repatriation, disability, and loss of life. Media management should strictly comply with all applicable professional conventions and agreements.
7. Psychological counselling - Media management should ensure that journalists and their assistants who so desire have access to psychological counselling after returning from dangerous areas or reporting on shocking events.
8. Legal protection - journalists on dangerous assignments are considered civilians under Article 79 of Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, provided they do not do anything or behave in any way that might compromise this status. Any deliberate attack on a journalist that causes death or serious physical injury is a major breach of this protocol and deemed a war crime.