The Documented BorderAn Open Access Digital Archive

Special Collections Online Exhibits

Academics

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As director of the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas at the University of Texas, Rosental Alves discusses his organization’s work in Mexico. Alves describes the situation in México as a crisis of violence and the need to assist journalists with their safety. 

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Juan Carlos Gutierrez, attorney, university professor, and former director of El Centro por la Justicia y el Derecho Internacional (Cejil), talks about "human rights mechanism," a groups of experts from the civil sector dedicated to investigate human rights violations and to keep the conversation going regarding cases of impunity and aggression against journalist and other at-risk populations.

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Journalist and Knight Fellow, Jorge Luis Sierra describes the difficulties of the life of a journalist, especially in the northern part of Mexico and along the border, including low salary, lack of education/knowledge, as well as insecurity. Sierra, an expert in border and security issues, organized crime, and drug trafficking, discusses his work training journalists who are vulnerable to violent attacks, on security procedures and digital security.

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Journalist and professor Pablo Hernandez Batista explains how the violence in Juarez has escalated in the past five years. Hernandez describes the violence towards journalists and the news industry, the current market for journalists in Mexico, and the potential of employment for his students. Hernandez also discusses how he educates and trains his students on covering stories without exposing themselves to much risk.

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Luis Pedro Arellano Sarmiento works as both a reporter and university professor. Arellano discusses the experience of working at the Semanario Zeta the same year that its editor was assassinated. He notes how, aside from the danger to reporters, not much has changed to increase the freedom of expression, particularly from government officials. Believing that information has no owner, Arellano talks about how many reporters in Mexicali see no need for "exclusives," sharing news so that these can be published regardless of the type of media. At the same time, however, he notes many journalists base their reporting on who pays them, turning their work from journalism to propaganda. As a professor, he is convinced that journalists cannot sell their word and tries to teach that to young reporters. Similarly, Arellano teaches his students about the importance of verifying sources, so as to not damage the honor of those willing to share information.

Please note that some audiovisual content within our digital collections and exhibits will be temporarily unavailable as we prepare to migrate it to a new platform.