President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a public consultation to draft new rules regarding audience rights for radio and television broadcasting [1, 2, 3].
The move seeks to establish ethical standards for broadcasters and requires a clear separation between factual reporting, editorial opinion, and paid advertising [2, 3].
Speaking during her daily morning press conference in Mexico City on July 28, Sheinbaum said the guidelines apply only to radio and television [1, 2]. The proposed rules exclude print media and digital platforms [1, 2, 3].
Sheinbaum said the initiative aims to protect audience rights and ensure that both public and private media outlets adopt a formal code of ethics [2, 3]. The president addressed concerns regarding government interference in the press by saying that the measures are not intended to restrict speech.
"No habrá censura; los medios deberán distinguir información, opinión y publicidad," Sheinbaum said [3].
Under the proposed framework, broadcasters would be required to explicitly label content to prevent the blurring of lines between news and commercial interests [2, 3]. Sheinbaum said that new guidelines for radio and television seek to ensure that media outlets differentiate information from opinion [3].
While the administration presents the consultation as a tool for transparency, some industry groups have expressed opposition to the changes [3]. The government intends to use the public feedback period to refine the legal language before finalizing the regulations [2].
“"No habrá censura; los medios deberán distinguir información, opinión y publicidad."”
The targeted nature of these rules suggests a specific regulatory focus on traditional broadcast media, which often holds significant influence over the general population in Mexico. By mandating a distinction between news and opinion, the administration is attempting to codify journalistic standards into law, though the exclusion of digital platforms creates a regulatory gap as news consumption shifts toward the internet.
