A DIRECT THREAT

Zetas Bring Fear of Violence to Our Back Yard

It's a rare moment when American journalism goes into retreat.
Reporters have been on the front lines of every U.S. conflict from
World War II to Iraq. The presses have continued to roll despite
earthquakes and hurricanes, riots and domestic political turmoil such
as Watergate.

That's because the dangers and threats always paled in comparison to
the goal of keeping the public informed. But today, journalists are
under direct threat and in retreat at America's doorstep because drug
traffickers do not like the uncomfortable attention U.S. reporters
are giving to their bloody enterprise.

Last week, newspapers received word that the Zetas, Mafia-style hit
squads working for drug traffickers, are threatening to kill an
American reporter in Laredo. The San Antonio Express News decided to
pull its reporter temporarily from the paper's Laredo bureau. The
Dallas Morning News, which regularly covers cartel operations in
Nuevo Laredo, also is taking precautions.

The danger is real. In the past nine months, seven journalists have
been killed in Mexico, making it second only to Iraq as the deadliest
country for journalists to operate. Two grenade attacks in April and
May prompted Cambio Sonora, a leading daily in northern Mexico, to close.

A threat by a Mexican gang to kill an American reporter on U.S. soil
should send a chill up the spine of anyone who values freedom and democracy.

One can only speculate why a group of killers, rich with drug money
and obviously unconcerned about public opinion polls, would care what
the U.S. news media report about them. But it's clear that these
groups rule by fear. And when the public loses access to information,
manipulation by fear becomes far easier.

Last month, we decried the closure of Cambio Sonora because it
signaled the slow death of civilized, sane discourse in Mexico.
Cambio 's reporters and editors are not to blame because it's their
government's job to provide for the public safety, and it has failed.

We shudder to think that, now, we must sound a similar alert right
here in Texas.