Journalism in Mexico is going through a very difficult moment: Ealy Ortiz

Mexico, a constant focus of attacks against press in Latin America, will host the 72nd Annual Meeting of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) in October to join forces against this scourge, said Juan Francisco Ealy Ortiz, chairman of IAPA's Commission Against Impunity.

"People come with great enthusiasm and eager to join forces because press freedom is not exercised, neither appreciated, and it must be exercised in its fullness," Ealy, chairman of the board of directors of EL UNIVERSAL, said in an interview with EFE. EL UNIVERSAL celebrates this year its 100th. Anniversary.

Ealy Ortiz said that "journalism in Mexico is going through a very difficult moment", in which "many journalists have been persecuted and killed by organized crime."

The meeting, to be held from October 13 to 17 in Mexico City, will also address "the (sectoral) unity of the continent's press", he explained, because not only newspapers but also TV channels and radio stations will participate.

In his opinion the circulation, penetration and influence of newspapers should be maintained because "electronic media can be blown by the wind, while written press is for history because once printed, a well-written or poorly-written story can not be removed.”

He added that newspapers will not disappear and will become "a complement" to social networks and the Internet.

Last April, during the mid-year meeting of the IAPA held in Punta Cana, Claudio Paolillo, chairman of the Committee on Freedom of Expression, said that organized crime and political corruption are the main enemies of journalists and press freedom in Latin America.

In a report, Paolillo recalled that in the last six months 12 journalists were killed in the area.

Since the 72nd annual meeting of the IAPA will be held a few days before the U.S. presidential election on November 8, the organizers scheduled a forum about this subject with the participation of Mexican journalist Jorge Ramos and former Foreign Minister Jorge Castañeda.