Mexico City, May 2, 2026 – To prevent judicial harassment from being used to intimidate and censor journalists, activists, and dissidents, Deputy Yolanda García Ortega presented an initiative to reform various provisions of the Mexico City Civil Code, focusing on the protection of freedom of expression. The proposal was introduced during a regular session of the Mexico City Congress.
Legislator Highlights Threat to Freedom of Expression
Deputy García Ortega, representing the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM), emphasized the critical importance of defending freedom of expression. “Defending freedom of expression is not always comfortable. However, the absence of clear criteria has allowed moral damage claims to be used as a tool to inhibit critical voices,” she stated.
During the Ordinary Session last Wednesday, she asserted that freedom of expression is a cornerstone of any democracy and a human right that enables the exercise of other guarantees. However, she lamented the existence of a “silent and profoundly dangerous threat”: the use of the judicial system to censor those who hold differing opinions.
Judicial Harassment as a Form of Censorship
García Ortega highlighted that censorship against journalists and activists in Mexico City is not only imposed through physical violence but also through disproportionate civil lawsuits, lengthy and costly legal processes, and judgments that lead to self-censorship. “When a society stops questioning, when fear replaces criticism, and when the law is used to silence instead of protect, then it ceases to be fully free,” she declared from the tribune.
She elaborated that in many cases, the judicial system is used to silence journalists and dissidents, particularly through Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). “These lawsuits do not seek justice; they do not seek to repair damage; they do not seek to protect rights. They seek to intimidate; they seek to wear down; they seek to silence. They are used against journalists; against activists; against human rights defenders, and against any uncomfortable voice,” she protested.
Alarming Increase in Judicial Harassment Cases
In this context, she revealed that 51 cases of judicial harassment were registered in Mexico in 2025, representing a 143 percent increase compared to the previous year. Nine of these cases occurred in the capital, placing it among the entities with the highest incidence. “When expressing an opinion can cost you your patrimony; when investigating can mean years in court; when expressing an opinion or criticizing can be more expensive than remaining silent, then freedom of expression ceases to be real,” the representative underscored.
Key Reforms Proposed for the Civil Code
García Ortega specified that the proposed reforms to the Mexico City Civil Code aim to ensure that opinion, criticism, satire, and public interest debate are not considered moral damage. Additionally, the initiative seeks to protect journalistic practice conducted with “reasonable diligence,” recognizing its fundamental role in public life. It also incorporates a key principle for indemnities to be proportional, reasonable, and non-punitive, ensuring they do not have an inhibitory effect.
She also noted that the reforms intend to establish mandatory criteria for judges to distinguish between facts and opinions, and between public and private figures. This will also protect public interest discourse and apply maximum protection to freedom of expression. Following Deputy Yolanda García’s participation, the Presiding Board of the capital’s Congress announced that the reform initiative to the local Civil Code would be forwarded to the Administration and Justice Procurement Commission for analysis and opinion.
Context of Broader Legislative Efforts
This initiative is part of ongoing legislative efforts within the Mexico City Congress. Recent activities include discussions on ensuring immediate invoicing in commercial establishments, a cine-debate on labor conditions, and calls to strengthen the Ecobici system, among others. The Congress continues to address various social and economic issues affecting the capital’s residents.
The protection of journalists and activists from judicial harassment is a critical step towards upholding democratic values and ensuring a vibrant public discourse in Mexico City. The proposed reforms, if passed, could significantly impact the landscape of freedom of expression and the role of civil society in the capital.
The initiative awaits review by the Commission of Administration and Justice Procurement, where further analysis and potential modifications will take place before it proceeds to a vote.
Source: https://www.congresocdmx.gob.mx/comsoc-van-contra-acoso-judicial-periodistas-activistas-y-disidentes-cdmx-7425-1.html
