News Sources in Mexico: Recommended links

Getting News about Mexico

There is very little news coverage of Mexico in Canadian news outlets. Here are a few recommended Mexican sources for news, political commentary, culture, arts and cuisine

http://www.mexiconews.com.mx

EL UNIVERSAL/HERALD
This is the internet site for the Mexican Spanish language paper El Universal and the Miami Herald English News service. It's the main English language newspaper in Mexico City, and it has become a "better" paper over the past year. The Miami Herald has an extensive Latin American news desk and some excellent reporters and writers. Overall, the paper has a moderate right of centre orientation.

http://www.proceso.com.mx

PROCESO
Spanish language weekly. Many articles can be accessed without paying the subscription fee, but most in-depth reports almost always require an online subscription. This magazine is comprehensive magazine that provides in-depth coverage of politics, the arts, culture, books, movies, and sports. The writers are the most accomplished commentators in Mexico and most are well-known authors. It appears weekly (Sunday). It has a definite left-of-centre orientation.

http://www.milenio.com

MILENIO
Spanish language daily and also magazine. A subscription is required to access most reports. This magazine is perceived to be more "neutral" than Proceso, but tilts slightly to the right of centre. My reporter friends believe this to be an excellent magazine because of the integrity of the reporters.

http://www.jornada.unam.mx

LA JORNADA
Spanish language only: A must-read daily for political junkies. In-depth coverage of politics, and an unparalleled source of investigative and muck-raking journalism. The most well-known writers and political commentators contribute to this daily. It continues to be free of charge on-line...a rarity in the commercial world. It's weekend feature reports are in-depth analysis are archival value reports on history, the arts and culture. Most definitely to the left of centre, but nevertheless a product of reporters with great integrity and social commitment.

NOTE: There are many excellent newspapers in Mexico, but a relative scarcity of advertising revenue. Many papers can only survive by publishing "government sponsored" stories and reports. In many newspapers, these stories are passed on as "news" without mentioning that they came from a government source. The PRI was masterful in manipulating news in this way. La Jornada accepted these stories, but printed these stories in italics so that the reader would know the source. Those who read La Jornada are aware of this journalistic slight of hand.

http://www.reforma.com/

REFORMA/EL NORTE
Spanish language: Unfortunately, this newspaper is a subscription based internet source. In my opinion, it deserves to be compared to other great newspapers of the world. It has regular comments from a variety of political viewpoints, but all of them are highly respected (e.g. Lorenzo Mayer of El Colegio de Mexico, Carlos Fuentes, Elena Poniatowska, Carlos Monsivais). The news tends to be presented with a slight right of centre emphasis. This paper was created about 10 years ago by a wealthy industrialist who had previously established the paper El Norte (in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon). Reporters were paid well and warned that they would be dismissed if there was any evidence of "bribery" or news manipulation. Those who work at this paper are loyal, dedicated and generally honest reporters. This paper has the highest circulation and greatest share of advertising revenue, and has been able to "resist" the temptation to publish government stories that are more akin to propaganda.

FINAL OBSERVATION ABOUT PEN INTERNATIONAL

It is still a dangerous occupation to be a reporter in Mexico. The number of Mexican reporters who have disappeared or been murdered is outrageously high. Reporters in the north of the country are targeted by the narco gangs, and in the south by both the corrupt political caciques and the narcos. PEN international has more information about this. (http://www.pen.org/) especially http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/1007 Consider writing a letter in support of PEN's Mexico Campaign (http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/1009)