HKS – DPI 600

A “Crash Session” on Mexican Media”

At the beginning, everything was Propaganda

19th Century – Propaganda and AdvocacyFew readers, high visual images

Spanish vs Rebels (Independence Wars, 1810-1821) Centralists vs Federalist (1822 - 1848) Foreign Wars (France, USA, England, France) Reformers vs Conservatives (1857 – 1867) Porfiriato The Revolution

The 20th Century – After the Revolution

Press was managed by political elites who wanted to gain adepts to their cause.

Narrative and advocacy, rather than information journalism was the norm.

Tipping Point Event: 1968, Poniatowska

1968 - 2000

TV Opened Slowly to Pluralism Privatization of TV, Radio, Newspapers Lost of power of Public News Agency – Notimex Key Events: 1985 earthquake, elections 1988, 2000, 2006 Several journalists killed by drug lords, guerrillas and

organized crime.

Mexican Model - Infoteinment

1990s Investigative Teams: Reforma, El Universal, Proceso

Media has no more than 3 Invesigative TV Programs, few stories on radio. More “coverage and anecdotes” rather than journalism.

Media loves scandals: Videoscandals with Brozo Few “watchdog” efforts Lots of killings and drug “events related” coverage

A Profile of the Mexican News Cosumer

Mexican spend about 4 hours daily watching TV Night news: Televisa, TV Azteca

Local News owned by national media Only 13% listen to news radio at least 1 hour a week

Radio stations clustered in Mexico City Mexicans read about 0.5 books a day About 133 newspapers,

Reforma, El Universal, Milenio Internet News

CNN, Televisa, CNI

The only thing more denigrating than tricky advertising is news that distortions the truth

Thank You!