COATZACOALCOS, Mexico, Aug 20, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - A radio journalist was shot

dead on Thursday in a violence-ridden area of eastern Mexico, authorities
said -- the latest such murder in one of the world's deadliest countries for
reporters.

   Jacinto Romero Flores, 60, was killed in Ixtaczoquitlan in Veracruz state
where he worked for the Oriestereo FM station, the region's public security
department said.

   According to media rights watchdog Reporters without Borders (RSF), Flores
had reported receiving threats recently.

   It condemned the murder and called for an immediate investigation as well
as protection for his family.

   Veracruz is a flashpoint in turf wars between Mexico's rival drug cartels
as well as one of the most dangerous parts of the country for media workers.

   At least six journalists have been murdered so far this year in Mexico,
although it is unclear if all the killings were linked to their work.

   Earlier this month, a news anchor with a national television station was
promised protection by the government following threats in the name of one of
the country's most notorious drug cartels.

   RSF regularly ranks Mexico alongside war-torn Syria and Afghanistan as the
world's most dangerous countries for news media.

   More than 100 reporters have been murdered since 2000 in Mexico and only a
fraction of the crimes have resulted in convictions.