The article cited says “We’ve been told that local politicians here have put the press under pressure not to report violence in this area, because if the tourists are scared away from here, it will be an economic disaster not only for Cancun, but for Mexico.”
Unfortunately, the press is somewhat captive - not to mention under threat, given the “disappearance “ and homicide rate for journalists - so there is an “iceberg effect”. Nevertheless, my family and friends still travel openly to Quintana Roo, even as they take considerable precautions with Guerrero (Acapulco, etc.) I cant comment from my current experience - I’m traveling in Costa Rica, Panamá, Colombia etc. currently. But...
see a PBS report
here and Newsweek’s take
here.