Ahead of rivals on Mexico drugs clinic killing, latest blow to government

Reuters was way ahead in reporting the murder of 17 people at a drug rehabilitation centre in Mexico on September 2, the latest atrocity in a drugs war that has put the government on the back foot and raised concerns about Mexico’s investment climate. Reuters was quicker than Mexican media and way ahead of AP with news of the mass killing after receiving a tip off from a contact. Reuters photos from the people at a drug rehab center won front strong play in the New York Times, Le Monde, Germany’s Stern, the Times of London and USA Today. Reuters also interviewed the U.S. drug and border czars, who gave tacit support for Mexico’s decriminalization of drug possession for personal use, a policy shift from the Obama administration.