Amid the renewal process of the Judicial Power in Tamaulipas, the digital outlet Código Magenta reported a concerning attempt at censorship.Tania Contreras López, former legal advisor of the state and current candidate for magistrate, leads the lawsuit.
Contreras reported the outlet and its editorial director, Rodrigo Carbajal, for alleged slander and gender-based political violence. However, none of the outlet's publications have been refuted.
At least ten judicial notifications have been made in less than two weeks at the Código Magenta newsroom and Carbajal's personal residence. Even though the electoral authority of Tamaulipashas no jurisdiction outside the state.
El reconocido periodista, Ramón Alberto Garza
Censorship instead of clarifications
The reason behind the attempt to silence the outlet is clear: Código Magenta has revealed sensitive family and political relationships of Contreras López.
Among them, her connection with Juan José Contreras, a former mayor linked to the Pedro J. Méndez Armed Column, an arm of the Gulf Cartel. Also, her brother-in-law, Juan Carlos Madero Larios, was pointed out by the SEDENA in an official letter for alleged customs corruption.
Far from offering explanations, the candidate demands that all publications mentioning her be removed. Additionally, she demands that the outlet refrain from speaking about her again until after the election.
Tania Contreras es muy amiga del gobernador morenista, Américo Villarreal, quien es investigado por atuoridades de EEUU
A court tailored: family ties and influence peddling.
The case has escalated to the Electoral Court of Tamaulipas, where four of the five magistrates have direct ties to Tania Contreras. Two of them were even appointed irregularly and without Senate ratification. One of the magistrates is her first cousin, and another was a subordinate of her husband.
Legal experts already warn that the crime of influence peddling could be established, while the candidate continues to not refute any of the allegations made by the outlet.
La violencia contra los periodistas en México va en aumento.
Freedom of expression under attack
This case is a serious precedent for free journalism in Mexico. An attempt at censorship like this allows political and criminal power groups to dictate what the press can or can't publish.
Código Magenta reiterated that it will defend itself legally and will not be silenced, because silencing it is silencing the citizenry.
