By ABC-7 Reporter Darren Hunt

EL PASO -- As the drug war in Mexico continues, concerns have increased for those working to shed light on the deadly violence.

Tuesday, a panel discussing border violence at the University of El Paso's library highlighted the concerns of Mexican journalists that have been threatened or that have seen their colleagues kidnapped, tortured and killed.

Panelists also discussed how the violence, and it's effect on journalists, may have a negative impact on freedom of speech and press in Mexico. Among those on hand were reporters from El Diario de Juarez and El Diario de El Paso.

Some talked about rampant corruption in the Mexican government, which actually owns some of the media outlets. Others pointed out the government's failure in protecting journalists reporting at the front lines of the deadly drug war.

In the last 26 years, nearly 100 journalists have been killed while working in Mexico.  Among those murdered was Juarez reporter Armando Rodriguez, who was gunned down in front of his home a year ago.

An alter honoring the memory of the slain journalist was set up at the library during the discussion. Many of Rodriguez's colleagues stopped by to pay their respects, including his close friend, Martin Orquiz, of El Diario de Juarez. "Many of us have witnessed the shootings, the killings, and the families crying," said Rodriguez, "this is what we are living through."

UTEP Sociology Professor Dr. Howard Campbell was also part of the panel. In the past, he has been reluctant to talk about his rather revealing book, "Drug War Zone." Now that it's out, he decided to discuss the book with ABC-7 amid growing concerns about the situation in the Borderland.

"[Drug violence] is a really scary thing that has gone on for almost two years," said Campbell, "People [are being killed] in such high numbers that were are being desensitized."

Dr. Campbell said his goal in writing the book, which took five years to complete, was to put a human face on the drug war in the Borderland. He said he also wanted to gain national and international attention for the "great tragedy" that Juarez has suffered.

According to the early reviews, Dr. Campbell seems to have accomplished his goal. "Most people who have read the book tell me they really enjoy it because it's in the words of the participants. It really shows the lives of people on a day-to-day basis in the world of the drug war."

Campbell hopes the book will get people thinking about America's drug policy and whether it's working. "I'm sure there's a way to rethink this strategy such that we can lower consumption of drugs and lower violence. Those should be our goals," he said.