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Podcasts Take Two
Slain Mexican activist and photojournalist spark talks of safety
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Aug 7, 2015
Listen • 7:22
Slain Mexican activist and photojournalist spark talks of safety
Recently, 32-year-old Nadia Vera, an activist, and photojournalist Ruben Espinosa, tried to escape the threats that dogged their home state of Veracruz.
Members of the media and the civil society protest with banners against Veracruz governor Javier Duarte, demanding justice in the murder of photojournalist Ruben Espinosa, human rights activist Nadia Vera (in picture) and three others, in front of the representation of Veracruz State in Mexico City, on August 5, 2015. Espinosa was found shot dead on August 1, 2015, in Mexico City, where he had moved two months ago from Veracruz, after reporting strong threats from the government of the state. Since 2010, 11 journalists have been killed and four others have gone missing in Veracruz. A man with a violent criminal past has been arrested as a suspect in the gory five-victim homicide, Mexican prosecutors announced. AFP PHOTO / ALFREDO ESTRELLA (Photo credit should read ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images)
Members of the media and the civil society protest with banners against Veracruz governor Javier Duarte, demanding justice in the murder of photojournalist Ruben Espinosa, human rights activist Nadia Vera (in picture) and three others, in front of the representation of Veracruz State in Mexico City, on August 5, 2015. Espinosa was found shot dead on August 1, 2015, in Mexico City, where he had moved two months ago from Veracruz, after reporting strong threats from the government of the state. Since 2010, 11 journalists have been killed and four others have gone missing in Veracruz. A man with a violent criminal past has been arrested as a suspect in the gory five-victim homicide, Mexican prosecutors announced. AFP PHOTO / ALFREDO ESTRELLA (Photo credit should read ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images)
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ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images
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Mexican photojournalist place their cameras on the floor with white flowers and pictures of murdered colleague Ruben Espinosa during a demonstration in Guadalajara City, on August 2, 2015. Espinosa was found shot dead on August 1, 2015, in Mexico City, where he had moved two months ago from Veracruz, after reporting strong threats from the Government of the state. AFP PHOTO/HECTOR GUERRERO (Photo credit should read HECTOR GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images)
Mexican photojournalist place their cameras on the floor with white flowers and pictures of murdered colleague Ruben Espinosa during a demonstration in Guadalajara City, on August 2, 2015. Espinosa was found shot dead on August 1, 2015, in Mexico City, where he had moved two months ago from Veracruz, after reporting strong threats from the Government of the state. AFP PHOTO/HECTOR GUERRERO (Photo credit should read HECTOR GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images)
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HECTOR GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images
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Recently, 32-year-old Nadia Vera, an activist, and photojournalist Ruben Espinosa, tried to escape the threats that dogged their home state of Veracruz.

Some journalists get into the profession to root out corruption and crime. But in Mexico, that can invite danger and even death.

Recently, 32-year-old Nadia Vera, an activist, and photojournalist Ruben Espinosa, tried to escape the threats that dogged their home state of Veracruz. Both fled to Mexico City only to be found bound and shot to death along with others.

Vera is just one of many who've died trying to document her own country. Rafael Castillo, a news producer for Vice News based in Mexico City, has been following this story and he joined us to talk more about this.