The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the shooting attack on two young Mexican journalists in the city of Ciudad Juárez in which photojournalist Luis Carlos Santiago was killed and his colleague Carlos Sanchez seriously wounded. The two Journalists worked for the local newspaper, the Diario de Juarez, which Santiago had joined only two weeks ago and where Sanchez was an intern, reports say.

"We condemn this wanton violence against young innocent people who only wanted to pursue a career in journalism," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "The authorities must step up their fight to bring the war on journalists in Mexico to an end."

Reports say that Santiago and Sanchez were shot yesterday afternoon as they were leaving the offices of the Diario de Juarez newspaper located at the Rio Grande Mall. The car they were travelling in was hit from behind by another  vehicle from which their attackers opened fire on the journalists with rifles and pistols. Santiago died on the spot and Sanchez was taken to hospital where he is said to in a critical condition, according to reports.

The IFJ, which launched in Mexico the campaign against impunity in Latin America and Caribbean region two years ago, says there has been very little progress by the Mexican authorities in stemming violence against media. The criminal groups involved in organized crime and drug trafficking hold sway in many parts of the country and are targeting journalists to intimidate and stop them from exposing their illegal activities.

"Journalists are on the front line in the war between government and drug and crime cartels," added White. "Unless the government can provide adequate protection to journalists, there is no hope for an end to organised crime in the country."

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 125 countries