Introduction
Freedom of expression has long been a crucial indicator of democracy in any society. The Priist regime, which dominated Mexico for nearly the entire 20th century, enforced strict censorship on anything that questioned its one-party system’s legitimacy.
Historical Context
During the Priist regime, newspapers, radio, and television had no chance of dissenting or even hinting at criticism. The censorship apparatus swiftly crushed any form of opposition. This began to change with Echeverría’s “democratic opening,” but it did not last, as evidenced by the 1976 coup against Julio Scherer and Excélsior.
The effective transition to democracy in the 1990s brought not only political pluralism but also an end to repressive policies against media and citizens. What was once a source of fear for expressing ideas transformed into an environment of freedom gradually implemented in newspapers, radio stations, and even television. The advent of the internet further accelerated society’s integration into social communication.
The López Obrador Era and Censorship
However, the political proposal of López Obrador’s populism did not align with the left’s pre-AMLO vision. Since 2018, institutions that enabled this caudillo alternative to win the presidency have been colonized or openly destroyed. This strategy aims to prevent political electoral alternance, ensuring the impossibility of defeat at the polls.
As a result, institutions such as the INE, IAI, and the Electoral Tribunal have ceased to function as guarantors of real and effective democracy, instead becoming appendages of an authoritarian and ineffective government. Héctor Aguilar Camín’s book, “La Dictadura Germinal,” accurately describes this period of institutional dismantling in the democratic republic, explaining the new Mexico of caudillos, absolute truths, and suppression of all forms of political criticism or opposition.
Censorship Attempts by the Tribunal Electoral
The Tribunal Electoral, transformed into a new “inquisitor” with supposed autonomy, lends a veneer of legality to illegitimate actions like censorship and threats from the 4T’s power elite. Although Mexico is not yet a dictatorship, the future seems to point towards that direction.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of freedom of expression in a democratic society? Freedom of expression is a vital indicator of democracy, allowing citizens to voice their opinions and hold power accountable.
- How did the Priist regime enforce censorship? The Priist regime used a robust censorship apparatus to suppress any form of dissent or criticism against its one-party system.
- What changes occurred during Mexico’s democratic transition in the 1990s? The transition brought political pluralism and an end to repressive policies against media and citizens, fostering a more open environment for free expression.
- How has the López Obrador administration affected democratic institutions? The López Obrador administration has weakened or destroyed key democratic institutions, enabling authoritarian tendencies and undermining electoral alternance.
- What is the role of the Tribunal Electoral in the current political climate? The Tribunal Electoral has been criticized for attempting to legitimize censorship and threats against opposition, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms.
