Mexico journalist who revealed first lady mansion fired

Mexico journalist who revealed first lady mansion fired

Mexico City (AFP) - The firing of one of Mexico's most famous journalists, who revealed the first lady's controversial mansion, sparked outrage Monday among supporters who consider her sacking an attack on press freedom.

Mexicans awoke without the familiar morning voice of broadcaster Carmen Aristegui after MVS Radio fired her late Sunday, following a public feud with her employer over the dismissal of two of her investigative reporters.

The top-rated, 51-year-old journalist became the main trending topic on Twitter in Mexico, with supporters calling on users to unfollow MVS's account.

Aristegui, who also works for CNN's Spanish-language channel, showed up Monday in front of MVS's Mexico City headquarters, where she was greeted by a dozen cheering supporters.

Vowing to fight back, she warned that her lawyers said her firing was wrong and a violation of freedom of speech.

Aristegui said her country is "seeing an authoritarian wind and an ominous sign of something that we have to avoid."

"This team of journalists is committed to fighting for freedom of speech," she said, adding that her firing appeared to have been planned well in advance, "with much resources and much power."

Denying it was curbing freedom of speech, MVS said it parted ways with Aristegui because it could not tolerate her "conditions and ultimatums" after she demanded her fired colleagues' reinstatement.

MVS said the two journalists had been fired for using the company's name without permission in their participation in MexicoLeaks, a website created by civic groups and other media outlets to receive leaked documents related to corruption.

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Mexico journalist who revealed first lady mansion fired