Forbidden Stories Strengthens Its SafeBox Network with Local Correspondents
More than 200 threatened journalists from 36 countries are now securing their information through the SafeBox. To coordinate this growing network, Forbidden Stories recently appointed two correspondents, in Mexico and in Africa.
By Forbidden Stories
25th, septembre 2025
Mauricio Pérez is Forbidden Stories’ correspondent in Mexico and coordinates the SafeBox Network in the country.
In the face of growing threats, journalists around the world are increasingly turning to the SafeBox. To meet this demand and remain as close as possible to the network’s members, Forbidden Stories is expanding its coordination system: in addition to the two coordinators based in Paris, two local correspondents are now actively liaising with SafeBox members.
Mauricio Pérez is the new Forbidden Stories correspondent in Mexico. For over 10 years, he has been committed to defending freedom of expression in the country, notably coordinating communications at Propuesta Cívica – an NGO that supports endangered journalists as well as the families of murdered and missing reporters.
From Mexico City, Mauricio liaises with more than 40 journalists and newsrooms already securing their investigations through Forbidden Stories’ SafeBox. “This is a very human task: to listen, to help, and to ensure the legacy of those who trust Forbidden Stories to tell their stories. In the Mexican context, the SafeBox goes against the journalist’s instinct—it is an innovative initiative that seeks to break the myth of the lone wolf, to anticipate possible attacks, and to try to deter danger by turning journalism itself into an ally.”
Mauricio is also helping expand the network among other journalists in the country. According to RSF, Mexico is the second deadliest for reporters in 2025 (with six killings), behind Palestine. It is also currently the most represented country within the SafeBox.
“In Mexico, those who search, those who question, are punished—informing is a high-risk task. It’s encouraging that tools like the SafeBox exist; they offer a way to break the silence.”
Another correspondent joined Forbidden Stories a few weeks ago to coordinate francophone members based in Africa. Their identity and location remain confidential for security reasons linked to the local context.
More correspondents to come
The SafeBox allows threatened journalists to secure their sensitive information. If they are kidnapped, imprisoned, or murdered, Forbidden Stories and its powerful network of media partners can pursue their investigations and publish them worldwide.
Above all, it serves as a deterrent and a new way for the majority of members (85%) to protect themselves: by making it publicly known that their information is secure, they make it clear that if they are silenced, what some would try to hide will instead be amplified.
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While more than 200 reporters currently use the SafeBox, Forbidden Stories aims to build a network of nearly a dozen correspondents worldwide, with more to be appointed in the coming months.
Although correspondents are in contact with SafeBox members, none of them retains the secured information. This is transmitted directly to the Paris-based team, and stored in an encrypted, offline manner across multiple locations. This system ensures that the information remains out of reach of the enemies of the press.