A. Guttmann
Research Lead covering media
News in Mexico - statistics & facts
Mexico's news and journalism landscape is complex, and one which is often fraught with problems and risks for consumers and professionals alike. The country ranks low in terms of trust in news media, press freedom, and high on journalists’ deaths. Studies conducted in early 2024 show that a little over a third of Mexicans (35 percent) trust news media. This is even lower than Brazil, which has had its own problems concerning political unrest and pressure on the media from the government, as well as issues with false news dissemination. Nevertheless, Mexico infamously remains one of the countries known for a complicated reputation when it comes to news reporting and the dangers of journalism.
News reporting and consumption in Mexico is challenging. Reporters face both systemic and physical risks, while consumers must navigate potentially biased and incomplete news delivery. Therefore diversification of sources, easy access via online platforms, and constant watch over quality reporting is what will push the news industry in Mexico forward.
Reporting news in Mexico – a risky business
Generally, press freedom index in Mexico does not fare well, and the country remains among the nations with the worst press freedom index in Latin America. One of the reasons for such poor results is the lack of diversification in the press and media market, with a large number of newspapers, radio stations, and websites concentrated under one company – Organización Editorial Mexicana. Interestingly, the share of people in Mexico who trust journalists stands at 31 percent, the sixth highest in a ranking of 28 countries worldwide and above Malaysia, Canada, and the U.S. as well as a number of EU member states. So, despite the government’s effort to discredit journalists, Mexicans maintain a level of faith in their work. The risks and hazards associated with this profession in Mexico are nevertheless substantial. Sadly, Mexico ranks as Latin America's most unsafe country for journalists and has kept this status for at least half a decade, with 83 journalists killed in the country since 2017.Digital news consumption in Mexico
Despite the troubles within the industry, news consumption in Mexico remains high, especially via digital platforms. Early 2024 data shows that the internet, including social media, is the go-to news source for 78 percent of respondents in the country. In comparison, only 18 percent of news consumers in Mexico used print media for this purpose and 39 percent watched TV to get the news. Facebook leads the pack among other social networks used to access news, followed by YouTube and WhatsApp. However, when it comes to popular online news brands, the ones associated with offline media, such as UnoTV or longstanding newspaper El Universal, are the most popular sources of information for people in Mexico.News reporting and consumption in Mexico is challenging. Reporters face both systemic and physical risks, while consumers must navigate potentially biased and incomplete news delivery. Therefore diversification of sources, easy access via online platforms, and constant watch over quality reporting is what will push the news industry in Mexico forward.
