BEST REWARD FOR BRAVE DRUG FIGHT

Bravery has its rewards and its costs. The Mexican magazine Zeta is
renowned for the bravery of its journalists in exposing Tijuana's
infamous drug lords. But the price of such courage has been high. In
1987, the Zeta building was machine-gunned. The warning did not deter
Zeta co-editor Hector Felix Miranda. One year later, he was shot to
death.

In 1997, Zeta Publisher Jesus Blancornelas was ambushed by drug cartel
hit men. His bodyguard was riddled with 38 bullets. Mr. Blancornelas
recovered from eight bullet wounds and has survived since then because
he is guarded night and day by a detachment of Mexican Army commandos.

Last week, Zeta editorial writer Francisco Ortiz was shot to death in
his car. Mr. Ortiz is said to have saved his two young children by
pushing them to the floor.

Such bravery deserves more than the reward of fame. Such bravery
deserves the end of the impunity for the Tijuana drug lords, who
cravenly resort to murder to silence journalists who are not afraid to
expose their nefarious trade and corrupting influence.

The Mexican government's response to the assassination attempt against
Mr. Blancornelas was to provide a permanent squad of specially trained
bodyguards. That wasn't enough. The murder of Mr. Ortiz demands
government action to bring the Tijuana drug lords to justice. That
means going after the masterminds of Tijuana crime, who have been
repeatedly exposed by Zeta's brave, but diminishing band of
journalists.