|
In
the past, the Televisa
group dominated the Mexican media. The power of the Televisa
group over the media landscape had been based on its firm links with
the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI, Partido Revolucionario Institucional).
However, Televisa lost its near-monopoly power as the PRI lost its
grip over country (for more information see Political Introduction).
As a consequence, competitors emerged challenging Televisa.
In the television area, Televisa once had a virtual monopoly in
Mexico and had also become the world's leading supplier of
programmes in Spanish. Today, new players, such as the home-grown
Azteca group have emerged and threaten Televisa's position as the
dominating player. In addition, foreign satellite and cable
operators are also entering the Mexican market. Radio is widely
distributed in Mexico, with 99% of households able to receive
broadcasts. About 1,000 radio stations are competing for audience
but competition remains limited to the regional or local level since
there are no national broadcasters.
In
the past, Mexican journalists were limited in their ability to
report freely. In particular, journalists investigating police
issues, drug trafficking and corruption have reported cases of
violent assaults. Mexican newspapers counted among the least
independent in the hemisphere and often prone to interference via
corruption . Since President Fox's inauguration observers are
looking for any changes as hopes for more freedom of information
have risen amid declining influence of the PRI on the country's
media. However, it is still too early to assess whether such
hopes are justified.
|
