As Tlaxcala experiences a surge in violence, Governor Lorena Cuéllar Cisneros again attributed the spread of a perception of insecurity to a segment of the press, stating that when a situation is “exaggerated” or fear is “fueled,” Tlaxcala suffers.
During the commemoration of Journalist’s Day in Tlaxcala, the governor acknowledged the work of journalists, although she pointed out that journalistic practice must avoid “sensationalism” and “attention-seeking.”
“When a situation is exaggerated or when fear is fueled, Tlaxcala is harmed. Trust in families is undermined, investments that generate employment are jeopardized, and the peace that has been so hard-won is weakened,” she said.
She also maintained that “journalism cannot give in to sensationalism” and asserted that her administration fully respects freedom of expression, reiterating that Tlaxcala is a “national benchmark in security.”
These statements add to other pronouncements made by the governor during her administration, in which she has questioned the coverage of crime and insecurity, arguing that some media outlets generate a negative perception of the state.
At the same event, she affirmed that her administration fully respects freedom of expression and highlighted the creation of the so-called Circular Dialogues, spaces in which, she said, journalists can freely ask questions and the government responds transparently.
Article 19 has documented dozens of attacks against journalists in Tlaxcala between 2021 and 2026, revealing a pattern of harassment, intimidation, and restrictions on the exercise of freedom of expression.
Article 19 has documented dozens of attacks against journalists in Tlaxcala between 2021 and 2026, revealing a pattern of harassment, intimidation, and restrictions on the exercise of freedom of expression. However, from the beginning of Lorena Cuéllar’s administration in 2021 until the first half of 2026, Article 19 has documented dozens of attacks against journalists in Tlaxcala, characterized by a pattern of institutional harassment, intimidation, threats, and physical violence.
According to the organization, most cases involve state and municipal officials, through restrictions on coverage of official activities, smear campaigns, threats, obstacles to accessing public information, and pressure related to government advertising. In the case of women journalists, psychological abuse, threats, and digital violence have also been documented.
The records of Article 19 and CIMAC show that the attacks have been constant: in 2023, attacks by government actors were reported; in 2024, alerts were issued for death threats and physical assaults; and in 2025, new cases of censorship and intimidation were recorded. While 2026 continues to see a growing number of complaints against journalistic practice.
The Tlaxcala government spokesperson has repeatedly rejected accusations of censorship and maintained that freedom of expression is fully respected in the state.
Despite demands to strengthen protection mechanisms and create an Office for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in the state, organizations warn that impunity in these cases remains a major outstanding issue.
For its part, the state government, through its spokesperson, has repeatedly rejected the accusations of censorship and maintained that there is full respect for journalistic practice.
Source: elpopular
