Many of Mexico's leading news organisations have agreed common guidelines on how to cover drug-related violence. Newspapers and broadcasters agreed not to glorify drug traffickers or publish cartel propaganda. They also promised joint action to protect journalists, at least 20 of whom have been killed since 2006, according to BBC News.
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The accord defends the media's right to criticise Mexican government policy and actions in the drugs conflict. More than 40 media groups, which between them own over 700 television networks, radio stations and newspapers, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Mexico City. Among them were the top broadcasters, Televisa and TV Azteca. But some leading newspapers - including Reforma, La Jornada and Proceso - did not sign up.
The agreement was signed by media executives and journalists at a ceremony in Mexico City. The 10-point voluntary agreement says the media should "condemn and reject" organised criminal violence, and cover it in a measured way, putting it in the context of violence elsewhere. It says the media must not allow itself be used to transmit propaganda for the drug cartels, or make their leaders look like "victims or heroes". The accord also notes that Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, with more than 20 murdered since 2006.
