Journalist decapitated for social media activities

In the Mexican city of Nuevo Laredo, famously brutal narcogang Zetas has abducted, tortured and finally decapitated a woman journalist, Yolanda Ordaz de la Cruz. It was not punishment for her press records. She did to Zetas more harm by her postings in the local social media website, Nuevo Laredo en vivo.

You probably do not want to see her last photos.

Not longer than a week ago, the very same gang in the same city has brutally tortured and killed two other people (a man aged 25, and 28 years old woman), allegedly in response for their blogging activities at popular websites ‘Blog del Narco’ and ‘Frontera al Rojo Vivo’.

Those photos are also very disturbing.

We are all used to reports about threatening, abducting, beating, raping and killing journalists. It happens all the time all over the world. Eritrea, China, Burma, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, the list of places dangerous for free press workers goes longer every day. 

At least, you can do something about that.

CC by blurch

What happens in Nuevo Laredo shows that those old media are not the only target anymore. The new enemy is an anonymous crowd of social media users. Unfortunately those users when attacked are left alone, without any protection.

The sad truth is, that not only Zetas are afraid of social media and citizen journalism. Governments of the modern and democratic world started their actions long time before. First we have seen that when Indymedia (IMC) organization was targeted by different police forces in US, UK, Italy. It was in early 2000 and those actions were succesful enough. The final hit to Indymedia was labeling this news outlet as anti-semitic.

Another source of anger for the authorities was famous Wikileaks. Bradley Manning is tortured by the US authorities, Julian Assange's freedom is limited since February 2011 on vague if not totally fabricated accusations. The whole Wikileaks is a target of many dezinformation activities, involving Daniel Schmitt's spin-off, as well as "misunderstandings" with the old media world.


Revealing truth is a dangerous thing. It affects interests not only of those Zetas criminals, but also bankers, politicians, and even those like myself - middle class members. Still I believe we should help and protect those sharing the forbidden knowledge. The only way I know to do that, is supporting EFF. You may click the button below to do so.