Social Security for Journalists / US Lobbying in Mexico

Social Security for Journalists. President López Obrador announced that 25 percent of advertising spending, approximately MX$750 million (US$37 million), will be destined to social security for journalists that do not receive these benefits at their workplaces. The president highlighted an agreement with the Social Security Institute (IMSS) to guarantee access to medical attention and pensions for reporters.

The program is supposed to start this year. Moreover, López Obrador clarified that this initiative is only for those journalists that do not have social security yet, since most media outlets are responsible for guaranteeing social security to their workers.

The number of journalists killed in Mexico is still on the rise. Since the beginning of the López Obrador’s administration, close to 30 journalists have been murdered, leading many countries, NGOs, families and journalists to protest against the matter.

Ayotzinapa. AMLO assured that his government continues to investigate the case of the 43 murdered students in Ayotzinapa. President López Obrador reiterated its government’s commitment to continue with the investigations and find out “what really happened.”

Last Monday, the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) presented its third report on the case. New findings indicate that the Navy manipulated the crime scene in Ayotzinapa. The GIEI presented a video showing marines altering the scene in a trash dump in Cocula.

In 2014, during Enrique Peña Nieto’s administration, 43 students disappeared in Iguala, Guerrero, and the government reported they were murdered and calcined by the United Warriors Cartel in a dump in Cocula. According to the previous government, it was the Iguala police who handed over the students to the criminal group. Nevertheless, since the reopening of the case under López Obrador’s administration, new findings incriminating Enrique Peña Nieto’s government are popping up.

Energy Reform. AMLO accused the US of lobbying activities in Mexico to stop the energy reform although no proof has been found. Many US correspondents have met with President López Obrador to discuss the energy reform. At the beginning of this year, US Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry and US businessmen from the energy sector visited the country to discuss Mexico's clean energy plan and the reform.

It was the third time that Kerry visited Mexico to discuss the reform as it is a US priority to ensure Mexico's energy policy promotes green initiatives and does not affect US companies. During the meeting, a working commission was proposed, which will be headed by the US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar to keep US authorities up to date on the energy reform.

Click HERE for full transcript in Spanish