Freedom of the press has been brought in to question in Mexico over the sacking of well-known radio and TV journalist Carmen Aristegui, following comments calling for President Calderon to respond to claims over alcohol problems allegedly plaguing him.
Aristegui claims that she was sacked from her role at MVS Noticias because of governmental pressure, though the radio station claims to have terminated her contract for breaking their code of ethics for “broadcasting rumour as news”, leaving them with no option after she refused to apologise for her comments.
MVS Noticias is currently waiting to have its broadcast licence renewed by the government, leading to concern that the sacking resulted from government pressure to downplay and discredit the claim, in order for the station to secure a new licence.
Ms. Aristegui responded that “an act like this is only imaginable in a dictatorship that nobody wants for Mexico: punishing for opining or questioning rulers”, and that there was no reason for her to apologise.
Roberto Gil Zuarth, Mr Calderon's private secretary, argues that the claims are unfounded, and that the President’s schedule, which includes, on average, seven events a week, is incompatible with the alleged extent of drinking or any real level of drinking at all. Mr. Zuarth added that the unsubstantiated rumours were aimed at damaging the President and his reputation.
But the issue has provoked debate in the Mexican press, with many columnists questioning their freedom of speech.
The Presidency meanwhile, issued a statement saying that “the federal government is and has been scrupulously respectful of freedom of expression”.