Mexican Authorities Arrest Journalists on Vague AI Manipulation Charges
Authorities in San Luis Potosí arrested journalists Eréndira Reyes and her daughter Alejandra Hermosillo on May 21 over allegations of illegal artificial intelligence use. Both remain detained at La Pila state penitentiary, according to the National Registry of Detentions.
Reyes founded and edits San Wicho Times, a Facebook-based news page, and the magazine Capital. The state prosecutor's office accused both women of "deliberate and illegal manipulation of the digital identity of the victim" but did not name the alleged victim or clarify the specific charges.
The arrests stem from a video that circulated on Facebook last year showing a local criminal gang accusing Gov. Ricardo Gallardo of corruption. Gallardo claimed the video contained AI-manipulated images of himself. The following month, San Luis Potosí amended its penal code to criminalize AI-manipulated images, with sentences up to three years in prison.
Two anonymous reporters told the Committee to Protect Journalists that arrest warrants may exist for several other journalists on identical charges. An arrest warrant photo reviewed by CPJ listed eleven people, including multiple journalists, though authorities have not confirmed additional arrests.
Pattern of Judicial Pressure
The journalists told CPJ they believe the indictments retaliate against Reyes and Hermosillo's prior critical coverage of Gallardo's administration.
"Jailing journalists on vague charges of 'illegal use of AI' is a clear escalation of the already sharp rise in cases of judicial harassment against journalists in Mexico, which continues to be the most dangerous country for journalists in the western hemisphere," said Jan-Albert Hootsen, CPJ's Mexico representative.
CPJ called for the immediate release of both women and dismissal of all charges. Attempts to reach Gallardo's office and the state prosecutor's office for comment went unanswered.
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