What Can Mexico's Digital Media Teach the World About the Future of Journalism? Nathaniel Parish Flannery - Forbes
go to original November 17, 2015

Newspapers in Mexico City are facing new challenges from digital media companies. (N. Parish Flannery/Instagram)

Mexico is emerging as Latin America’s most important hub of digital journalism. At a time of turbulence in the global media market when traditional news organizations around the globe are being tossed around by tempestuous financial currents, many of Mexico’s most prestigious journalists are jumping ship, preferring to build their own digital news start-ups and navigate the difficult waters on their own. Standouts from Mexico’s new generation of digital media startups include SinEmbargo, El Daily Post, Horizontal, Chiapas Paralelo, Animal Politico and Emeequis.

During a recent interview, SinEmbargo’s Director of Content Rita Varela told me that Sin Embargo is pulling in an average of between 17 and 18 million unique visitors a month. Embracing social media has helped SinEmbargo connect with readers checking for news on their phones and tablets. “We’ve gotten a good response. We have high-quality readers; young people, students, graduates, professionals, politicians, business people, and social leaders. It’s the cream of the crop. We have a very elite profile of readers,” she told me.

Over the last few months I collaborated on a report on digital media startups. In the study, which was published by Columbia University’s Anya Schiffrin, I explained “Mexico’s media market, like many other aspects of the country’s economy, is a paradoxical mix of encouraging trends and ominous threats. Mexico enjoys a leadership role within Latin America’s media sector, producing many of the region’s best magazines, TV shows, movies, and newspapers.” Chilango, which focuses on culture and politics in Mexico city, Gatopardo, which takes a regional approach to the same issues, and Nexos, a public policy magazine, are all recognized for being some of the best magazines in Latin America.

Unfortunately, despite success stories in many areas, Mexico is also one of the most challenging places in the world to practice journalism. Serious threats from heavy-handed politicians and criminal groups make it very challenging for local journalists to cover crime and politics. At the same time, reliance on government advertising allows many small publications to operate but also limits their editorial independence. In a country where one TV company, Televisa, dominates the broadcast TV market, a new generation of digital media start-ups is playing an increasingly important role in Mexico’s political life.

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