Mexico City, Mexico - Dozens of media outlets as well as a leading global watchdog on Wednesday called on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to address attacks against journalists.

The demands come as Mexico continues to be one of the most dangerous countries to work as a journalist.

At least seven reporters have been killed in the country in 2026 alone, and NGOs report that many such attacks go unpunished.

Over 40 local media outlets endorsed a statement by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urging Sheinbaum to react to the violence.

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"How many more of us will have to die before the Mexican state takes action?" the media watchdog wrote.

"Mexico cannot become accustomed to counting its murdered journalists," said Artur Romeu, RSF Director for Latin America.

"Each name on this list represents a debt the State owes to the victims, their families, and society as a whole."

The statement called for a national emergency response involving federal and local authorities to protect the reporters.

Seventeen journalists have been killed since Sheinbaum took office in October 2024, according to RSF.

The NGO Article 19 has meanwhile recorded more than 180 crimes against media workers since 2000.

Sheinbaum's administration recently drew condemnation by releasing the names of journalists and outlets that had been critical of the government. Those listed reported that they had received online abuse as a result.

The president played down the incident, while also announcing that no names would be circulated again.

"Each murder also generates fear, fuels silence, threatens journalism, and violates the right of millions of people to be informed," Romeu said.

"Mexico needs a political response commensurate with the gravity of this violence. We do not want to have to keep adding new names to this list."