A newspaper in the northern state of Chihuahua in Mexico has temporarily stopped its print edition after an attack on its facilities.
El Monitor de Parral made the announcement via an editorial published on July 31 after it said its facilities and personnel “were victim of an aggression” at dawn earlier that day.
“We temporarily suspend our print edition in hopes of finding better conditions for journalistic work,” wrote the newspaper, located in Hidalgo de Parral.
The publication said it would change the editorial profile of its digital edition.
“We will not publish, absolutely any news of a police nature - important as it may be,” the editorial reads. “Likewise, we will not be involved in any aspect that represents a political slant.”
However, the paper reinforced its commitment to journalism it has carried out for 58 years.
Sujetos desconocidos atacaron con artefactos explosivos las instalaciones del periódico digital e impreso El Monitor de Parral, Chihuahua https://t.co/K2gtxbgSRk
— El Universal (@El_Universal_Mx) July 31, 2019
El Monitor de Parral was hit with at least two alleged Molotov bombs that affected the first and second floors of the historic building where the paper is located, according to El Diario of Chihuahua.
The State Attorney General said authorities rescued three people who were unharmed, the publication reported.
El Diario also reported that the owner of the building, who is part of a family of communicators, said he wouldn’t ask for charges to be brought or to figure out the cause.
However, the State Attorney General of Chihuahua said it is investigating the case.
Before the attack, security cameras were damaged and the hard drive for the devices was stolen, according to El Diario de Chihuahua.
In a separate note concerning the cleanup of the facilities, El Diario quoted colleagues outside of the building as saying “It’s a black day for this job.” The publication called it “perhaps the worst attack on a media outlet in the history of Parral.”
The Forum of Journalists of Chihuahua A.C., condemned the attack and urged an investigation and punishment of those responsible. It asked for protection protocols for those threatened.
“We express our concern about the attack against El Monitor de Parral, we are in solidarity with them and we urge the authorities to find those responsible for the incident, a clear act of intimidation that attempts to curtail freedom of expression,” Forum President Ernesto Almanza said via the Facebook note.
Calls to El Monitor de Parral went unanswered.
