State Dept. condolences on the death of journalist Mike O'Connor

A spokesperson for the State Department took note today of Sunday's passing of Mike O'Connor, the former NPR and KCBS-LA reporter who was the Mexico representative of the Committee to Protect Journalists. He was married to Tracy Wilkinson, the longtime LA Times correspondent and chief of the paper's bureau in Mexico City. Here's our post from Monday.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson

STATEMENT BY JEN PSAKI, SPOKESPERSON

Condolences on Death of Mike O’Connor, Mexico Representative of the
Committee to Protect Journalists

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to foreign correspondent Tracy Wilkinson of the Los Angeles Times, the surviving widow of Mike O’Connor, Mexico Representative of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), who passed away on December 29.

Mike was a fearless truth seeker and an indefatigable advocate for the protection of journalists covering organized crime and corruption issues in Mexico and Central America. Whether transporting endangered reporters to safe havens or lobbying government officials for measures to end impunity, Mike was a passionate and articulate voice of conscience for many. He authored reports on grave threats to Mexico’s journalists and motivated both the Mexican and U.S. governments to take steps to ensure that reporters were free to tell their stories. His work at CPJ followed a long and distinguished career covering Latin America for CBS News, NPR and the New York Times. We honor the memory of Mike O’Connor, and know that his legacy will inspire many to keep fighting for truth and for the defense of human rights and a vibrant, free press.