Days after her colleagues were fired for their role in creating whistleblower website Mexicoleaks, popular Mexican journalist Carmen Aristegui suffered a similar fate as Noticias MVS announced her dismissal.
Aristegui, who led an investigation revealing that President Peña Nieto’s wife bought a mansion from a government contractor, used her morning radio show last Friday to protest the firings of Daniel Lizarraga and Irving Huerta. In what would be her final broadcast, Aristegui asked for her partners’ “unconditional” reinstatement on the grounds that MVS violated their right to freedom of speech.
In a statement, MVS said Lizarraga and Huerta were fired for linking the company to Mexicoleaks without authorization. The station expressed sincere regret for terminating Aristegui, adding it could not allow a person to “impose conditions and ultimatums on the administrations.”
MVS first released Aristegui in 2011 for criticizing former President Felipe Calderon. They has not shown as much reluctance this time around despite mounting social media criticism.
The hashtag #EndefensadeAristegui became the number one trending topic in Mexico Friday morning. By nightfall, nearly 126,000 people had signed a Change.org petition supporting the embattled radio star. A new hashtag, #EndefensadeAristegui2, emerged Monday following news of Aristegui’s firing.
From political activists to fellow journalists, Twitter users are in full support of Aristegui.
Despedir a #CarmenAristegui para proteger la marca es no entender al cliente. A menos de que el cliente viva en Los Pinos.
— Enrique Acevedo (@Enrique_Acevedo) March 16, 2015
Quieren defender el legado de #CarmenAristegui ? Niéguenle su voto al partido que operó su despido. Para ESO sirve la democracia — León Krauze (@Leon_Krauze) March 16, 2015
And when 1 falls, 1000's should stand. World should know what's happening in #Mexico, before is too late. #EndefensadeAristegui2 — Christian Chavarria (@chr1zt1an_92) March 17, 2015
The sacking of journalist in #Mexico is a slap in the face to freedom of expression. #EndefensadeAristegui2 https://t.co/l3SxGMH00W — Alfredo Corchado (@ajcorchado) March 16, 2015
Mexicoleaks, the scandal-exposing platform formed by multiple Mexican media outlets and societal organizations, has seen an outpouring of support since its inception last week. Aristegui’s team is listed as one of the participating groups.
#MexicoLeaks fight against #corruption We support @AristeguiOnline #EndefensadeAristegui2 #yosoyaristegui #freedomofexpression #opengov
— Angie Navarro (@AngieNavarroMX) March 17, 2015
In #Mexico you get fired for telling the truth like #CarmenAristegui on #MexicoLeaks she also broke the news about @EPN "White House" #MVS — Marcela Angeles (@marcelaangelesm) March 17, 2015
“@Desinformemonos: Cientos de personas se reúnen frente a las instalaciones de #MVS en apoyo a #CarmenAristegui https://t.co/fjRy8takPx” — #COMPA_Ninette (@Ninette2005) March 17, 2015
Some believe MVS’s decision was justified and that it result of internal conflict rather than government influence.
Ella y sus editores debían saber que no tenían derecho a usar la marca #MVS para relacionarla con #MexicoLeaks. Es un abuso de confianza. — ᙢᘮᖇᘐᕮᘉ (@Murgen_) March 17, 2015
¿Qué le exigen los #chairos a #MVS?, #Aristegui no se va a morir de hambre, sigue cobrando y berreando en CNN
— Gabit Amezcua (@GabitAmezcua) March 17, 2015
In lieu of Aristegui’s radio show on Monday, MVS rotated a canned message announcing her termination. There is no word on a full-time replacement.
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