Journalists who face danger in trying to report in Mexico and Iran

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2013/feb/05/journalist-safety-mexico

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In Mexico, more than 40 journalists were killed or disappeared between December 2006 and November 2012, during the presidency of Felipe Calderón.

The last to die, on 14 November 2012, was freelance reporter Adrian Silva Moreno, who was shot dead while investigating a fuel theft.

His murder, like so many others, involved organised crime and, possibly, a drug cartel. It was yet another example of the dangers facing any journalist trying to report in Mexico.

But some go on taking the risks, such as Sergio Haro, who works for Zeta, a Tijuana-based weekly that sells about 30,000 copies.

A film that explores the dangers he faces as he goes about his job, Reportero, is to be shown next Friday (15 February) at the Frontline Club.

Through interviews, reports, archive footage and news items, the film illustrates the ruthless practices of the drug cartels, and the corruption that makes it so dangerous for journalists.

For three decades Zeta has chronicled the activities of organised crime and corrupt politicians. Two editors have been murdered and its founder, Jesus Blancornelas, survived a vicious attack.

After the screening there will be a Q&A over Skype with the director, Bernardo Ruiz. Tickets available, for £10 here. It begins at 7pm.

Forced Confessions: Maziar Bahari's story

English Pen and Index on Censorship are screening the documentary Forced Confessions, which was made by journalist Maziar Bahari. He was arrested in Iran in 2009 and forced to make a false confession before his release.

Bahari, who directed the film, also acts as the narrator. He interviews Iranians who have been through the same ordeal as him and guides the viewer through the history of forced confessions in Iran.

These are degrading tales of intelligent men who never thought they would have to make false confessions in public, but potentially fatal torture left them with few options.

Bahari is also the author of Then They Came for Me, a book that explores Iran's history of oppression.

After the screening at the Free Word Centre next Wednesday (13 February from 7.15pm), there will be a Q+A chaired by Channel 4's­ Jon Snow.

Tickets: £6 (£3 for English PEN members who can email julia@englishpen.org to reserve a place). To book online, follow this link