The Office of the Baja California Governor introduced Wednesday a bill that seeks to increase from 30 to 60 the years in prison of those convicted of killing journalists.

The proposal seeks to modify an article of the state’s Penal Code that would add a provision to the crime of homicide or aggravated assault of those working for media outlets as reporters or activities alike.

Assembly Speaker Juan Manuel Molina said the bill has already been received by the Legislature and is expected to be turned to commissions immediately.

The proposal gives judges the freedom to approve sentences with more prison time to those found guilty of assaulting journalists.

Governor Marina Avila accepted the bill was introduced after the murders of Lourdes Maldonado and Margarito Martínez in Tijuana.

The bill seeks to protect those who seek, investigate, synthesize, write, edit, photograph, record with a video camera, spread or publicize news, ideas and opinions to the general public through any print, radio, video or digital outlet. Journalists covered are those who perform their activities constantly or sporadically, whether paid or not and even without a labor relationship with the media outlet.