In a controversial move, a court in Campeche, Mexico, has imposed a gag order on retired journalist Jorge Luis González Valdez and the local newspaper Tribuna, sparking significant backlash from international journalist protection groups. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urgently called for the cessation of what it describes as judicial harassment against González Valdez and the newspaper, following their critical coverage of Campeche Governor Layda Sansores.

According to the CPJ, this court decision represents a direct threat to press freedom, with Mexico representative Jan-Albert Hootsen labeling the verdict as a gag order that sides with governmental efforts to stifle critical media voices. The ruling mandates that any content in Tribuna mentioning Governor Sansores must receive prior court approval. Furthermore, González Valdez is prohibited from making any public statements or publishing materials that refer to the governor, with an official censor required to accompany him during any media appearances.

The local court's decision, overseen by Judge Ana Maribel de Atocha Huitz May, also includes the judicial intervention of Tribuna’s digital platform, effectively pausing its operations. This measure has been widely criticized, including by Tribuna itself, which condemned the actions as censorship.

This legal action against González Valdez, who retired in 2017 after a 30-year career at Tribuna, is part of a broader pattern of lawsuits initiated by Governor Sansores and the state government. Last month, the retired journalist faced charges of inciting hatred and violence against the governor, along with a hefty fine for moral damages, although this was temporarily suspended following an injunction.

The situation in Campeche reflects ongoing concerns about the safety and freedom of journalists in Mexico, which remains one of the most perilous countries for the press worldwide. CPJ has previously criticized the Mexican government for not adequately protecting journalists from threats and violence. Moreover, the human rights organization Article 19 views these judicial measures as part of a broader institutional abuse aimed at silencing dissent and restricting public debate, infringing on the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

As international watchdogs continue to monitor and decry the situation, the global community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that upholds the principles of free speech and journalistic integrity in Mexico.