Newspapers of Mexico, from Mexico City to Monterrey

In Mexico, news is read in Spanish in El Universal, Reforma, Milenio, Excélsior and La Jornada, alongside the weekly Proceso, sites such as Animal Político and channels such as Televisa or Canal Once, almost all available online.

A press born in the wake of the Revolution

After the colonial-era Gazeta de México, the modern press took shape with El Universal, founded in 1916, and Excélsior, launched in 1917. La Jornada appeared in 1984, then Reforma in 1993, created by the group that published El Norte in Monterrey.

El Universal, Reforma, La Jornada: distinct editorial lines

El Universal and Excélsior offer general news in an institutional tone. Reforma, known for its investigations, is often seen as critical of those in power. La Jornada sits on the left, while Milenio combines a daily paper, a news channel and a strong digital presence.

Spanish and Mexico's Indigenous languages

Spanish dominates the print press, but the law recognises 68 Indigenous languages. Community radio stations and the public INPI network broadcast in Nahuatl, Maya or Mixtec, notably in Chiapas, Oaxaca and the Yucatán peninsula, reaching audiences the national papers rarely serve.

Monterrey, Guadalajara, Tijuana: regional strength

Every state has its own titles: El Norte in Monterrey, El Informador in Guadalajara, Diario de Yucatán in Mérida, El Siglo de Torreón or the weekly Zeta in Tijuana. They cover security and local politics better than the capital's press does.

Animal Político, Aristegui and Mexican digital media

Independent sites play a major role: Animal Político, Aristegui Noticias run by journalist Carmen Aristegui, Sin Embargo and Latinus. They publish heavily on YouTube and WhatsApp, which have become essential news channels for Mexican readers on mobile phones.

What is left of the Notimex agency?

The public agency Notimex, created in 1968, was put into liquidation in 2023 after a long labour dispute. Newsrooms now rely on the foreign agencies EFE, AFP and Reuters, as well as official statements from the presidency and federal ministries.

Canal Once, Canal 22 and the morning briefing

The public channels Canal Once, attached to the National Polytechnic Institute, and the cultural Canal 22 coexist with the private giants Televisa and TV Azteca. The daily presidential press conference, known as the mañanera, has strongly shaped the media agenda since 2018.

Reading Mexico from the United States

Millions of Mexicans live in the United States and get their news from La Opinión in Los Angeles, Univision or Telemundo. To place these Spanish-language outlets, the American press and the overview of media across the Americas are good starting points.

El Financiero, El Economista and football

El Financiero and El Economista follow the peso, the Bank of Mexico, Pemex and trade with the United States and Canada. For sport, Récord and Esto cover Liga MX, the national team and boxing, all hugely popular across the country.

Mexican journalism exposed to violence

Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in which to practise journalism, especially for local correspondents in Guerrero, Veracruz or Sinaloa. A federal protection mechanism for journalists has existed since 2012, but its effectiveness remains a matter of debate.

Mexican paywalls and comparing sources

Reforma keeps most of its articles for subscribers, while El Universal and Milenio remain largely free. Comparing with the Spanish press and EFE wire stories helps cross-check diplomatic and economic topics linking Madrid and Mexico City.

Verificado and checking Mexican rumours

Several fact-checking collectives, such as Verificado, created during the 2018 elections, examine rumours and viral images. Compare a national outlet, a paper from the state concerned and an independent site before repeating any sensitive information about security.

How to follow Mexican news from abroad

1. Pair a major Mexico City daily such as El Universal with an investigative title such as Reforma or the weekly Proceso.
2. Add a paper from the state you care about, for example El Informador for Jalisco.
3. Follow an independent digital outlet such as Animal Político through its app or newsletter.
4. Watch an extract of the presidential mañanera, then read how several newspapers comment on it.
5. Set alerts on the peso and the Bank of Mexico in El Financiero if you follow the economy.
6. Check the date of viral videos, which are often recycled after every earthquake or hurricane.

Access and subscriptions for the Mexican press

Key facts for reading Mexican media

• Language: Spanish, with media in Indigenous languages
• Agencies used: EFE, AFP and Reuters since the end of Notimex
• Public broadcasters: Canal Once, Canal 22 and the Public Broadcasting System
• Business titles: El Financiero and El Economista
• Sports titles: Récord and Esto
• Mexico City time zone: UTC-6, no daylight saving since 2022
• Subscription currency: Mexican peso

Common mistakes with Mexican news

• Assuming a viral presidential quote is accurate without checking the official transcript of the morning press conference.
• Confusing an anonymous local news site, sometimes tied to political interests, with an established regional newspaper.
• Taking old footage of violence, or footage shot in another country, for a recent event in Mexico.
• Confusing the Mexican El Financiero with titles of the same name published in Costa Rica or Spain.
• Using sites that bypass the Reforma paywall, which put the security of your device at risk.

Questions about Mexican newspapers