Three Ensenada reporters published a formal public statement accusing Baja California state government officials of rude and threatening behavior during a public event on April 28.
Journalists Patricia Lafarga, Ricardo Meza, and David Peralta said they were treated in a dismissive and arrogant manner by event organizers while covering the graduation ceremony for the second class of the “Mujeres al Volante” (Women at the Wheel) program. The ceremony took place at the Riviera Cultural Center, one of Ensenada’s most prominent public venues on the waterfront.
Complaint Targets Top State Officials
The reporters directed their complaint to three senior Baja California officials: Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, Secretary of Government Juan José Pon Méndez, and state Communications Director Nicolle de León Larrea. The statement called on leadership to address the conduct of staff representing the state government at public events.
The “Mujeres al Volante” program is a state initiative that provides driving instruction and licensing support for women in Baja California. The graduation event was a public ceremony organized by the state government, where press access is standard practice.
Press Freedom Concerns in Baja California
Mexico consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the country recorded multiple cases of press violence and intimidation in recent years. Baja California’s local media outlets play a critical role in covering public safety, infrastructure, and government accountability across the state’s major cities, including Tijuana, Mexicali, and Ensenada.
Official hostility toward reporters at routine government events raises concerns about the broader climate for press freedom in the region. Independent local journalists in Ensenada cover everything from water infrastructure and road conditions to crime and public health, topics that directly affect daily life in the city.
The public statement from the three journalists did not indicate whether they plan to file a formal legal complaint or pursue the matter through press freedom organizations. No public response from the governor’s office, the Secretary of Government, or the state communications office had been reported at the time of publication.
This story was first reported by Ensenada.net.