National Press Club Statement on Murder of Mexican Journalist Nelson Matus

WASHINGTON, July 16 – Following is a statement from Eileen O’Reilly, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, on the murder of Nelson Matus, director of Lo Real de Guerrero, in Mexico yesterday.

“Our hearts go out to the family and colleagues of Nelson Matus who was shot and killed while in a parked car in a shopping center in Acapulco last night. Matus was a long-time journalist for Lo Real de Guerrero. This was the 3rd known attempt on his life since 2017.

“We are exceedingly concerned at what is happening to journalists in Mexico who are simply doing their very important jobs to investigate and inform citizens. Matus is the 5th journalist killed in Mexico in 2023 and follows the murder discovered last week of journalist Luis Martin Sanchez. Last year 13 journalists were killed in Mexico – the highest number since records have been kept. Few of these cases are properly investigated.

“The National Press Club and The National Press Club Journalism Institute call on Mexican authorities to redouble their efforts to prosecute those responsible for these murders and to send a signal to criminals that the murder of journalists will not be tolerated.”

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged, global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with the skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. The NPCJI is the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club.

Contact: Bill McCarren, National Press Club, [email protected], (202) 662-7534