Washington Post: As deadline descended on El Mañana’s newsroom and reporters rushed to file their stories, someone in the employ of a local drug cartel called with a demand from his crime boss.
The caller was a journalist for another newspaper, known here as an enlace, or “link” to the cartel. The compromised journalist barked out the order: Publish an article saying the mayor in Matamoros had not paid the cartel $2 million a month in protection fees, as an El Mañana front-page story had alleged the day before.
“They want us to say he’s not guilty,” the editor who took the call told his colleagues during the episode in late October. Knowing glances passed between them as a visiting Washington Post reporter looked on.
They all knew that defiance carried a high price. Read more.
The MexicoBlog of the CIP Americas Program monitors and analyzes international press on Mexico with a focus on the US-backed War on Drugs in Mexico and the struggle in Mexico to strengthen the rule of law, justice and protection of human rights. Relevant political developments in both countries are also covered.
Showing posts with label Mexico media/press. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico media/press. Show all posts
Dec 21, 2015
Apr 16, 2015
Mexican court backs reporter fired after Pena Nieto property scoop
Reuters: A court ruling issued on Tuesday may force a broadcaster to negotiate the reinstatement of a high-profile journalist fired last month after helping uncover a scandal involving President Enrique Pena Nieto's family.
The Mexico City judge ordered an April 27 hearing that may determine whether Carmen Aristegui and her popular show return to the air. Read more.
The Mexico City judge ordered an April 27 hearing that may determine whether Carmen Aristegui and her popular show return to the air. Read more.
Oct 15, 2013
Nations Should Quickly Heed Advice of Greenwald, Assange
October 11, 2013
In reference to the scandal about spying by U.S. government agencies on the governments, institutions, companies and individuals in many countries, journalist Glenn Greenwald, who has published classified material obtained by former analyst Edward Snowden, talks of the need to eradicate U.S. dominance of the Internet and form groups of nations to operate independent paths of access to the Worldwide Web. The Guardian reporter has suggested that Argentina and Brazil, as well as the European Union, would be well advised to build their own Internet - something only China has done so far. Meanwhile, Edward Snowden, being pursued by Washington, has taken refuge in Russia. Read more.
Mar 11, 2013
Mexico Seeks Telecommunication Reform To Open Foreign Investment In Telephone, TV Markets
Huffington Post
By Michael Weissenstein
Mexico City - President Enrique Pena Nieto moved Monday to overhaul and strengthen the weak and chaotic regulations that have allowed the world's richest man and its largest Spanish-language media empire to exert near-total control of Mexico's lucrative telephone and television markets.
The reforms would give the Mexican government tools to take on multibillionaire telephone tycoon Carlos Slim and Televisa CEO Emilio Azcarraga, independent observers said. The two rivals' holds on their respective markets have been widely seen as emblems of regulatory dysfunction in a country aspiring to join the ranks of the world's economic superpowers.
Their companies' pervasive influence has repelled a series of attempts to break their dominance over the years. The tycoons' power could thwart fresh efforts despite Pena Nieto's push to put teeth into Mexico's deeply flawed regulatory system, experts said.
The reforms would create two new national television channels and form a new independent regulatory commission along the lines of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, with the power to unilaterally punish non-competitive practices, including withdrawing corporations' licenses. A second independent commission would be able to order firms to sell off assets in order to reduce their market dominance. Read more.
By Michael Weissenstein
Mexico City - President Enrique Pena Nieto moved Monday to overhaul and strengthen the weak and chaotic regulations that have allowed the world's richest man and its largest Spanish-language media empire to exert near-total control of Mexico's lucrative telephone and television markets.
The reforms would give the Mexican government tools to take on multibillionaire telephone tycoon Carlos Slim and Televisa CEO Emilio Azcarraga, independent observers said. The two rivals' holds on their respective markets have been widely seen as emblems of regulatory dysfunction in a country aspiring to join the ranks of the world's economic superpowers.
Their companies' pervasive influence has repelled a series of attempts to break their dominance over the years. The tycoons' power could thwart fresh efforts despite Pena Nieto's push to put teeth into Mexico's deeply flawed regulatory system, experts said.
The reforms would create two new national television channels and form a new independent regulatory commission along the lines of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, with the power to unilaterally punish non-competitive practices, including withdrawing corporations' licenses. A second independent commission would be able to order firms to sell off assets in order to reduce their market dominance. Read more.
Jan 24, 2013
Only the People Defend the People: Guerrero Human Rights Center Weighs in on Uprising
by the Tlachinollan Human Rights Center of la Montaña
Translated by Kristin Brickier
January 15, 2013
Translated by Kristin Brickier
January 15, 2013
On Saturday, January 5, 2013, at about 11pm, citizen Eusebio Alvarado García, commissioner of Rancho Nuevo, Tecoanapa municipality, was taken by force from his home by people who belong to the criminal groups that have overrun the Ayutla region. Eusebio had recently arrived at his home with the news that he had been elected a subcommander of the Community Police. That afternoon there was a regional assembly of the authorities of El Portrero, which is also in Tecoanapa, where there were also representatives from other municipalities such as Cuautepec, San Marcos, Cruz Grande, and Ayutla. Previously, the communities in this corridor of the Costa Chica met to plan joint actions against organized crime, which for years has dominated as the scourge of the indigenous and peasant communities because of the authorities' indifference at all three levels of government.
According to residents, the situation became unbearable because of the cruel and abusive manner in which these groups acted. That's why, in the assembly on Saturday they felt the pressing need to construct a basic structure that would confront this de facto power. Various groups of police were formed, each with its own commander, who were given the order to practice armed self defense when faced with any circumstance that would put the fiscal safety, freedom, or life of their compañeros and compañeras in the struggle at risk. Read more.
Jan 11, 2013
Obama and Guns: 'Yes, You Must' (El Universal, Mexico)
Mexico - El Universal - Original Article (Spanish) By Dr. Arnoldo Kraus
Translated By Halszka Czarnocka for World Meets US
January 9, 2013
Choosing the appropriate slogan isn't easy. It requires imagination, creativity and following the maxim "less is more," as the message must say a lot with the fewest possible words. The slogan of Barack Obama's first presidential campaign, "Yes, we can," synthesized the desire for change and the need to come together. Now with the beginning of his second term, Obama will no longer need to invent apt and resonant phrases. He'll have to look back.
During his first term, civilian-on-civilian killings have left running rivers of blood and ink. Due to the innocence of the victims and heroism of teachers who gave their lives to protect their students, the massacre of children and adults at a school in Newtown hurts in another way. This mass killing should mark a new presidential commitment. This time, the slogan written on the part of the dead, is society's exhortation for Obama: "Yes, yes, you must." Read more.
Translated By Halszka Czarnocka for World Meets US
January 9, 2013
Choosing the appropriate slogan isn't easy. It requires imagination, creativity and following the maxim "less is more," as the message must say a lot with the fewest possible words. The slogan of Barack Obama's first presidential campaign, "Yes, we can," synthesized the desire for change and the need to come together. Now with the beginning of his second term, Obama will no longer need to invent apt and resonant phrases. He'll have to look back.
During his first term, civilian-on-civilian killings have left running rivers of blood and ink. Due to the innocence of the victims and heroism of teachers who gave their lives to protect their students, the massacre of children and adults at a school in Newtown hurts in another way. This mass killing should mark a new presidential commitment. This time, the slogan written on the part of the dead, is society's exhortation for Obama: "Yes, yes, you must." Read more.
Nov 20, 2012
Mexican press: Self preservation becomes self censorship
XIndex November 16, 2012
In Mexico drug cartels continue to dictate news agenda and in some areas, have even infiltrated the newsroom. A new investigation by Fundacion MEPI reveals the extent to which news outlets fear of cartel retaliation and a shortage of accurate government information keep the public in the dark.
MEXICO CITY – It was 38 minutes into the First Division football match at the Santos Modelo Stadium, about 275 miles from the US border, when players suddenly started running from the pitch to their locker rooms. Popping sounds interrupted the announcers. More than one million Mexican television viewers watched as a firefight between the country’s most ruthless drug cartel and local police unfolded.
The images broadcast from the industrial town of Torreon showed terrified men, women and children crouching under the stadium seats and scrambling for cover. Television Azteca, the second largest Mexican network, stopped transmission of the game. But ESPN continued, breaking its audience records worldwide for a domestic soccer match.
It was the first time drug-related violence had played out on live television alongside the country’s beloved national sport. But it also highlighted another battle, one raging inside the local Mexican media as criminal groups have continue to muzzle regional reporting on drug violence — savagery that has left more than 60,000 dead since outgoing President Felipe Calderon took office in December 2006.
Despite the stadium gun battle’s obvious news value, in the newsroom of the local daily El Siglo de Torreon, editors and reporters pondered whether to publish news of the shootout in a prominent place in the following day’s paper. The attack had pitted the Zetas organised crime group against a municipal police contingent parked near the stadium. Read more.
In Mexico drug cartels continue to dictate news agenda and in some areas, have even infiltrated the newsroom. A new investigation by Fundacion MEPI reveals the extent to which news outlets fear of cartel retaliation and a shortage of accurate government information keep the public in the dark.
MEXICO CITY – It was 38 minutes into the First Division football match at the Santos Modelo Stadium, about 275 miles from the US border, when players suddenly started running from the pitch to their locker rooms. Popping sounds interrupted the announcers. More than one million Mexican television viewers watched as a firefight between the country’s most ruthless drug cartel and local police unfolded.
The images broadcast from the industrial town of Torreon showed terrified men, women and children crouching under the stadium seats and scrambling for cover. Television Azteca, the second largest Mexican network, stopped transmission of the game. But ESPN continued, breaking its audience records worldwide for a domestic soccer match.
It was the first time drug-related violence had played out on live television alongside the country’s beloved national sport. But it also highlighted another battle, one raging inside the local Mexican media as criminal groups have continue to muzzle regional reporting on drug violence — savagery that has left more than 60,000 dead since outgoing President Felipe Calderon took office in December 2006.
Despite the stadium gun battle’s obvious news value, in the newsroom of the local daily El Siglo de Torreon, editors and reporters pondered whether to publish news of the shootout in a prominent place in the following day’s paper. The attack had pitted the Zetas organised crime group against a municipal police contingent parked near the stadium. Read more.
Oct 8, 2012
Nearly a third of Mexico households targets of crime, study says
LA Times: MEXICO CITY -- Nearly a of third of households in Mexico suffered a crime in 2011 and only in 8% of those cases was a preliminary investigation opened, according to new figures from the national statistics institute.
The numbers demonstrate that crimes with victims, including robbery, assault, car theft, extortion, identity theft, and kidnappings, are widely under-reported to authorities in Mexico and that the true scope is probably unknown.
The National Institute of Statistics and Geography, or Inegi by its Spanish acronym, polled 95,903 homes this spring and asked respondents to list instances of crime victimization in 2011, not including homicides.
In 30.6% of households polled, at least one adult resident was victimized in 2011. When the victim was present, "physical aggression" occurred in 26.6% of the cases. Read more.
The numbers demonstrate that crimes with victims, including robbery, assault, car theft, extortion, identity theft, and kidnappings, are widely under-reported to authorities in Mexico and that the true scope is probably unknown.
The National Institute of Statistics and Geography, or Inegi by its Spanish acronym, polled 95,903 homes this spring and asked respondents to list instances of crime victimization in 2011, not including homicides.
In 30.6% of households polled, at least one adult resident was victimized in 2011. When the victim was present, "physical aggression" occurred in 26.6% of the cases. Read more.
Sep 20, 2012
#Iam132 presents proposals for media democratization
CNN Mexico Blog: Americas Program Original Translation
On Tuesday, members of the student movement #Iam132 presented a series of proposals for media democratization in Mexico, one of the themes that gave rise to this protest group.
In a document that includes six issue areas, the activists mentioned that a media model should be established which consists of a commercial sector, another public and a community social one, in which citizens can be included from diverse sectors.
In another section, the document mentions that “the communication should be recognized as a public service and not as a matter of social interest,” and that the State should guarantee freedom of expression.
“It is necessary to promote public policies that aim to a media literacy such as the elimination of the digital divide,” added the representatives of around 20 assemblies, that make up the work group for the democratization of the media.
On its political position, the youth of this group indicated in a press conference that “the media monopoly” has taken the leading role in the state-level decision-making, “through the manipulation of public opinion, particularly the television.”
See Spanish original.
Translation by Bonnie Ho, Americas Program
On Tuesday, members of the student movement #Iam132 presented a series of proposals for media democratization in Mexico, one of the themes that gave rise to this protest group.
In a document that includes six issue areas, the activists mentioned that a media model should be established which consists of a commercial sector, another public and a community social one, in which citizens can be included from diverse sectors.
In another section, the document mentions that “the communication should be recognized as a public service and not as a matter of social interest,” and that the State should guarantee freedom of expression.
“It is necessary to promote public policies that aim to a media literacy such as the elimination of the digital divide,” added the representatives of around 20 assemblies, that make up the work group for the democratization of the media.
On its political position, the youth of this group indicated in a press conference that “the media monopoly” has taken the leading role in the state-level decision-making, “through the manipulation of public opinion, particularly the television.”
See Spanish original.
Translation by Bonnie Ho, Americas Program
Sep 14, 2012
Mexico's media monopoly vs. the people
Televisa helped elect the country's new president. Now it hears cries for the breakup of its broadcast empire.
By Nathaniel Parish Flannery, contributor
CNN FORTUNE -- On July 7, nearly 100,000 people forced their way down Reforma, one of Mexico City's main avenues, gathering in front of the Angel of Independence, a 150-foot-tall monumentin a plaza in the city center. "People, Listen! This is your fight!" they chanted. "Governing a country is not [the same as] making a telenovela," one of the protest posters announced. Mexico's election is over, but in the weeks following the July 1 ballot count, demonstrators have takento the streets. They are angry about the victory of Enrique Peña Nieto, a polarizing but telegenic candidate who ran a campaign based on simple slogans such as "You'll Earn More!"
As the demonstration passed by Museo de Bellas Artes, an iconic museum in downtown Mexico City, Carolina Reyes, a recent college graduate, explained "I think there was fraud in the promotion [of Peña Nieto] in the media." She had painted the front of a model TV screen to show a modified version of the Televisa logo, re-done in the red, white, and green colors of Peña Nieto's party, a political machine with a long and checkered history in Mexico. A plastic tyrannosaurus rex toy poked its head out through a rip in the center of the logo, a warning about the return of old, corrupt, political "dinosaurs" to power. "Fraud! Fraud! Fraud!" the crowd around Carolina chanted, as onlookers stopped to use their cell phones to snap photos as she held her TV prop over her head. The protesters, the majority of whom supported Andres Manuel Lopez Obredor (AMLO), a leftist candidate, are frustrated with the influence of Televisa (TV), Mexico's most important media company, in their country's political discourse. They don't want to see Televisa write the script for their country's elections.
Many members of Mexico's urban, educated, tech savvy youth, who watched and criticized the campaigns via Youtube and Twitter, think that Televisa, a TV conglomerate that produces many of the country's most popular telenovelas, may be too big for the country's good.Televisa controls 70% of the broadcast television market, and its broadcasts reach 95% of all homes in Mexico. Unlike cable TV or the Internet -- platforms that offer a plethora of options -- viewers frustrated with the perceived political slant of news coverage on Mexico's broadcast TV networks have few alternatives. Especially in Mexico, a country with limited cable and Internet penetration, broadcast TV plays a central role. Right now the country has only two nationally broadcast TV channels. Javier Aparicio, a political economy professor at CIDE, a prestigious research institute in Mexico City, explained that his "main concern is the concentration of the media industry in Mexico." He added, "Televisa has an important influence in campaigns in national elections." Read more.
By Nathaniel Parish Flannery, contributor
CNN FORTUNE -- On July 7, nearly 100,000 people forced their way down Reforma, one of Mexico City's main avenues, gathering in front of the Angel of Independence, a 150-foot-tall monumentin a plaza in the city center. "People, Listen! This is your fight!" they chanted. "Governing a country is not [the same as] making a telenovela," one of the protest posters announced. Mexico's election is over, but in the weeks following the July 1 ballot count, demonstrators have takento the streets. They are angry about the victory of Enrique Peña Nieto, a polarizing but telegenic candidate who ran a campaign based on simple slogans such as "You'll Earn More!"
As the demonstration passed by Museo de Bellas Artes, an iconic museum in downtown Mexico City, Carolina Reyes, a recent college graduate, explained "I think there was fraud in the promotion [of Peña Nieto] in the media." She had painted the front of a model TV screen to show a modified version of the Televisa logo, re-done in the red, white, and green colors of Peña Nieto's party, a political machine with a long and checkered history in Mexico. A plastic tyrannosaurus rex toy poked its head out through a rip in the center of the logo, a warning about the return of old, corrupt, political "dinosaurs" to power. "Fraud! Fraud! Fraud!" the crowd around Carolina chanted, as onlookers stopped to use their cell phones to snap photos as she held her TV prop over her head. The protesters, the majority of whom supported Andres Manuel Lopez Obredor (AMLO), a leftist candidate, are frustrated with the influence of Televisa (TV), Mexico's most important media company, in their country's political discourse. They don't want to see Televisa write the script for their country's elections.
Many members of Mexico's urban, educated, tech savvy youth, who watched and criticized the campaigns via Youtube and Twitter, think that Televisa, a TV conglomerate that produces many of the country's most popular telenovelas, may be too big for the country's good.Televisa controls 70% of the broadcast television market, and its broadcasts reach 95% of all homes in Mexico. Unlike cable TV or the Internet -- platforms that offer a plethora of options -- viewers frustrated with the perceived political slant of news coverage on Mexico's broadcast TV networks have few alternatives. Especially in Mexico, a country with limited cable and Internet penetration, broadcast TV plays a central role. Right now the country has only two nationally broadcast TV channels. Javier Aparicio, a political economy professor at CIDE, a prestigious research institute in Mexico City, explained that his "main concern is the concentration of the media industry in Mexico." He added, "Televisa has an important influence in campaigns in national elections." Read more.
Jul 11, 2012
Irregularities reveal Mexico's election far from fair With Peña Nieto's election marred by media bias and voter fraud, Mexico's ailing economy is hobbled by democratic deficit
If Mexicans do not have much faith in a fair electoral process in the 2012 election , it can be explained by the poorly handled recount in 2006.
Guardian: The media rewrites history every day, and in so doing, it often impedes our understanding of the present. Mexico's presidential election of a week ago is a case in point. Press reports tell us that Felipe Calderón, the outgoing president from the PAN (National Action party), "won the 2006 election by a narrow margin".
But this is not quite true, and without knowing what actually happened in 2006, it is perhaps more difficult to understand the widespread skepticism of the Mexican people toward the results of the current election. The official results show Institutional Revolutionary party (PRI) candidate Enrique Peña Nieto winning 38.2% of the vote, to 31.6% for Andrés Manuel López Obrador, of the party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) and 25.4% for Josefina Vázquez Mota of the PAN. It does not help that the current election has been marred by widespread reports of vote-buying. Read more.
Guardian: The media rewrites history every day, and in so doing, it often impedes our understanding of the present. Mexico's presidential election of a week ago is a case in point. Press reports tell us that Felipe Calderón, the outgoing president from the PAN (National Action party), "won the 2006 election by a narrow margin".
But this is not quite true, and without knowing what actually happened in 2006, it is perhaps more difficult to understand the widespread skepticism of the Mexican people toward the results of the current election. The official results show Institutional Revolutionary party (PRI) candidate Enrique Peña Nieto winning 38.2% of the vote, to 31.6% for Andrés Manuel López Obrador, of the party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) and 25.4% for Josefina Vázquez Mota of the PAN. It does not help that the current election has been marred by widespread reports of vote-buying. Read more.
Jun 29, 2012
Spotlight falls on Televisa, Mexico's all-powerful TV station
Television has a big influence on public opinion in Mexico. The discovery of the major television network Televisa's connection to Enrique Pena Nieto before the election reflects the history of the relationship between media and politics in the country.
The Guardian: Critics accuse Televisa of manipulating politicians and viewers and threatening democracy
For decades Televisa's logo – a golden human eye gazing at the world through a television screen – captured the company's success at controlling and dominating what Mexicans watched.
The media firm, the biggest in Latin America, produced soap operas, quiz shows, films and news bulletins that reflected and reinforced the country's concentration of economic and political power.
Televisa's eye, with the pupil in the form of a globe, remained an unblinking stare during authoritarian one-party rule and Mexico's transition to multiparty democracy, a change that only increased the company's wealth and influence. Read more.
The Guardian: Critics accuse Televisa of manipulating politicians and viewers and threatening democracy
For decades Televisa's logo – a golden human eye gazing at the world through a television screen – captured the company's success at controlling and dominating what Mexicans watched.
The media firm, the biggest in Latin America, produced soap operas, quiz shows, films and news bulletins that reflected and reinforced the country's concentration of economic and political power.
Televisa's eye, with the pupil in the form of a globe, remained an unblinking stare during authoritarian one-party rule and Mexico's transition to multiparty democracy, a change that only increased the company's wealth and influence. Read more.
Jun 21, 2012
Mexico election diary: #YoSoy132 at a crossroads
The Economist: MEXICO’S presidential candidates have had two official televised debates, one in Mayand another earlier this month. On June 19th there was a third, unofficial one, hosted by a student movement called #YoSoy132. The pressure group, which was born in May after a disastrous visit by Enrique Peña Nieto, the leading candidate, to a Mexico City university, got the candidates together for two hours of discussion ahead of the election, which is now little more than a week away.
It was a decent debate. The questions put by students were good and specific; candidates had to answer simply yes or no, before outlining their proposals in more detail, which cut down on the off-topic speeches that politicians often like to dive into. It was transmitted on the internet, complete with severe technical problems due to heavy traffic (or perhaps, Twitter rumours ran, to sabotage). Read more.
It was a decent debate. The questions put by students were good and specific; candidates had to answer simply yes or no, before outlining their proposals in more detail, which cut down on the off-topic speeches that politicians often like to dive into. It was transmitted on the internet, complete with severe technical problems due to heavy traffic (or perhaps, Twitter rumours ran, to sabotage). Read more.
Jun 12, 2012
National Independent Poll (Encuesta Nacional Independiente)
Citizen’s Front in Defense of an Effective and Free Vote presented a poll done by the company Berumen and Associates, whose results throw a technical draw between Enrique Peña Nieto and Andrés Manuel López Obrador, candidates to the presidency of the republic under the PRI-Green Party and PRD-PT-Citizens' Movement coalitions, respectively, followed by Josefina Vázquez Mota, from the PAN, in a distant third place.
Commissioned by the Observatorio Universitario Electoral (Electoral College Observatory), composed mainly by academics of the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (Metropolitan Autonomous University), the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (National Autonomous University of Mexico) and El Colegio de México (The College of Mexico), the poll establishes the following data regarding voting intention: EPN, 30.9%; AMLO, 31.8%, and JV, 20.7%.
In the event, John M. Ackerman gave a context presentation, followed by Amílcar Sandoval who read a rebuttal to a statement by IFE published during the weekend defending its role. He affirmed that the electoral umpire presents severe deficiencies in fulfilling its role, citing as an example the topic of polls where the Institute behaves as a mere registrar office, receiving reports on the methodologies without bringing them under analysis.
Edmundo Berumen (general director of the polling company) followed, offering various methodological details on the exercise of registering voters’ preferences: a sample designed under a strictly probabilistic approach to be applied in 600 electoral sections of the national territory. A total of 3 thousand 480 completed interviews were collected, raised between 30 May and 6 June, respecting the implementation of the sample design up until the household level, with up to three visits per household and without a substitution scheme, among other characteristics.
According to Berumen, the majority of the polls thus far released in this electoral process do not extend over more than 200 electoral sections nor do they respect the probabilistic approach.
According to Berumen, the majority of the polls thus far released in this electoral process do not extend over more than 200 electoral sections nor do they respect the probabilistic approach.
According to Ackerman, the poll shows that the ongoing process has turned into an election between two, as recently pointed out by Reforma’s poll.
(This post has been corrected: EPN: 30.9%, AMLO: 31.8% and JVM: 20.7%--still representing a technical tie. However, we have calls in to clear up confusion that arose last night as to whether these are the final or preliminary results. We will keep you posted.)
WikiLeaks reveals US concerns over Televisa-Peña Nieto links in 2009
The Guardian: US diplomats raised concerns that the frontrunner in Mexico's presidential election, Enrique Peña Nieto, was paying for favourable TV coverage as far back as 2009, according to state department cables released by WikiLeaks.
Allegations that coverage by the country's main television network was biased in favour of Peña Nieto have triggered a wave of student demonstrations in the runup to the election on 1 July. The claims are supported by documents seen by the Guardian, which also implicate other politicians in buying news and entertainment coverage. Read more.
Jun 1, 2012
The media and Mexico’s election: The battle of the airwaves
The Economist: WITH a month to go until the presidential election, Mexicans switching on their televisions and radios can hardly avoid the candidates vying to win their votes on July 1st. In a country with more televisions than refrigerators, dominating the airwaves is crucial to being elected. But ownership of the broadcast media is highly concentrated.
Most people get their news through free-to-air television, a duopoly shared by Televisa and TV Azteca. Televisa, with about 70% of the audience, is forever associated in the public mind with the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which ruled Mexico for seven decades until 2000. In 1990 the network’s chief commented that it was “a soldier of the PRI”.
Many suspect that the media are still for hire: Reforma, a newspaper, published receipts last month suggesting that Enrique Peña Nieto, the PRI’s presidential candidate, during his six years as governor of Mexico state spent about $3m for journalistic “mentions” as well as $90m on public information. Mr Peña says the payments were all for legitimate publicity. Read more.
Most people get their news through free-to-air television, a duopoly shared by Televisa and TV Azteca. Televisa, with about 70% of the audience, is forever associated in the public mind with the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which ruled Mexico for seven decades until 2000. In 1990 the network’s chief commented that it was “a soldier of the PRI”.
Many suspect that the media are still for hire: Reforma, a newspaper, published receipts last month suggesting that Enrique Peña Nieto, the PRI’s presidential candidate, during his six years as governor of Mexico state spent about $3m for journalistic “mentions” as well as $90m on public information. Mr Peña says the payments were all for legitimate publicity. Read more.
Mar 9, 2012
Drug War and the Rule of Law: Death threats made against journalists in Tijuana
La Jornada: "Journalists of the news portal Ten4, based in Tijuana, received death threats for their work. In a dozen written messagess, they were insulted for their "f...king reports of sh.t." The threats, signed with the pseudonym Uncle John, were issued on March 6. The next day reporters filed a criminal complaint regarding the threats. One of them asked, "And then we'll wake up in bags, cut into quarters?"
This is the fourth assault perpetrated against journalists in the state in three weeks: on 23 February, persons riding in a van intercepted a correspondent of La Jornada in Tijuana, beating and intimidating him. Also in February, the team of the weekly newpaper, 'Zeta' was threatened with death by the Arellano Felix cartel, and last Wednesday, the director of the Image Group in Mexicali, Eduardo Pesqueira, was the victim of an act of intimidation." Spanish original
This is the fourth assault perpetrated against journalists in the state in three weeks: on 23 February, persons riding in a van intercepted a correspondent of La Jornada in Tijuana, beating and intimidating him. Also in February, the team of the weekly newpaper, 'Zeta' was threatened with death by the Arellano Felix cartel, and last Wednesday, the director of the Image Group in Mexicali, Eduardo Pesqueira, was the victim of an act of intimidation." Spanish original
Mar 8, 2012
Drug War and the Media: Mexico media watchdog presents its third report on media coverage of violence
Milenio: "The Center for Public Communication Processes Regarding Violence (OPCPV) presented its third report on the 'Agreement on Media Coverage of Violence', which covers the period November 2011to January 2012 and lists a series of recommendations to the media, the authorities and spokesmen for public institutions.
The Center concurred that both public institutions and the media should refrain from leaking or disseminating preliminary inquiries in a criminal investigation, because it is illegal and may violate rights, such as the presumption of innocence, and protection of personal image, private life and reputation.
Spokesmen for the authorities and public institutions should also not become a sounding board for messages from organized crime through their dissemination to the media. Examples include situations in which authorities or the media provide the content of banners or placards allegedly made by members of criminal groups. In this regard, it recalls that the National Accord for Security, Justice and Legality, signed on August 21, 2008 by all government and many media, states that media should avoid advocacy of crime.
It further recommends "protecting, according to the highest standards, the rights to dignity and reputation without distinction. It concurs with the organization 'Article 19', which warns against differential treatment in trials for crimes against military and civilian personnel."
The report also stresses the importance of avoiding language that reaffirms the imaginary of organized crime and to limit the explanations of violent events to the facts.
This citizen institution also recommends that the media should also disseminate to citizens alternative strategies for dealing with drug trafficking.
The Center noted that in coverage of the forum on "Drugs: An Assessment of a Century of Prohibition" only some media reported criticisms of the government's strategy and that was new for the Mexican media environment. Opening the media to debate must be a commitment made to the thousands of victims left by the violence emanating from organized crime."
... Moreover, media ought to carry out more and better investigations into abuses by security forces in the fight against organized crime and utilize more requests for access to government information for the development of journalistic investigations.
Also, when publishiing images of persons, media ought to use technical methods that can protect the identity, privacy and dignity of victims of violence and their families. While giving continuity to cases of violence through investigative journalism, it should be an ethical imperative to protect the victims in order to combat impunity.
Also, any moral bias in the approach to the issue of organized crime and violence should be avoided. Do not make descriptions of events that veer from the facts towards judgemental narratives that present the actors in terms of "good" and "bad".
The Media Centre insists on the importance of protecting the right to presumption of innocence and avoiding trials via the media.
... The full report, and the inputs and methodology used in its preparation are available on its website: www.observatoriocomunicacionviolencia.org" Spanish original
The Center concurred that both public institutions and the media should refrain from leaking or disseminating preliminary inquiries in a criminal investigation, because it is illegal and may violate rights, such as the presumption of innocence, and protection of personal image, private life and reputation.
Spokesmen for the authorities and public institutions should also not become a sounding board for messages from organized crime through their dissemination to the media. Examples include situations in which authorities or the media provide the content of banners or placards allegedly made by members of criminal groups. In this regard, it recalls that the National Accord for Security, Justice and Legality, signed on August 21, 2008 by all government and many media, states that media should avoid advocacy of crime.
It further recommends "protecting, according to the highest standards, the rights to dignity and reputation without distinction. It concurs with the organization 'Article 19', which warns against differential treatment in trials for crimes against military and civilian personnel."
The report also stresses the importance of avoiding language that reaffirms the imaginary of organized crime and to limit the explanations of violent events to the facts.
This citizen institution also recommends that the media should also disseminate to citizens alternative strategies for dealing with drug trafficking.
The Center noted that in coverage of the forum on "Drugs: An Assessment of a Century of Prohibition" only some media reported criticisms of the government's strategy and that was new for the Mexican media environment. Opening the media to debate must be a commitment made to the thousands of victims left by the violence emanating from organized crime."
... Moreover, media ought to carry out more and better investigations into abuses by security forces in the fight against organized crime and utilize more requests for access to government information for the development of journalistic investigations.
Also, when publishiing images of persons, media ought to use technical methods that can protect the identity, privacy and dignity of victims of violence and their families. While giving continuity to cases of violence through investigative journalism, it should be an ethical imperative to protect the victims in order to combat impunity.
Also, any moral bias in the approach to the issue of organized crime and violence should be avoided. Do not make descriptions of events that veer from the facts towards judgemental narratives that present the actors in terms of "good" and "bad".
The Media Centre insists on the importance of protecting the right to presumption of innocence and avoiding trials via the media.
... The full report, and the inputs and methodology used in its preparation are available on its website: www.observatoriocomunicacionviolencia.org" Spanish original
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