Introduction to the Unforeseen Journalistic Adventure
The journalistic adventure began quite unexpectedly. At the Bank of Mexico, my friend and economist Juan Díez Canedo recommended me for labor purposes to the then general director, Miguel Mancera. The official welcomed me among his collaborators, and it so happened that the outgoing one, Manuel Suárez Mier, was actively participating in the editorial page of the newly created newspaper El Economista.
A Friendship and Colleague Relationship Emerges
A friendship and colleague relationship developed with the newspaper’s founder and first editor, Luis Enrique Mercado. He insisted that I resume my work as an editorialist. One day, he called and said he had found a solution: to collaborate using a pseudonym. I agreed reluctantly, assuming he had already consulted with my good personal friend, Mancera.
The Revelation and Continued Collaboration
One day, Mancera asked about the identity of this new editorialist writing ‘very sensible’ pieces. I was alarmed, thinking my days as a Bank of Mexico functionary were over. However, his reaction was entirely different: a spontaneous laugh and the advice to ‘continue on this path.’
Reflections on the Journalistic Journey
Many years have passed since those initial experiences as an editorialist. I am proud and feel clear-minded about my thoughts. For instance, the appeal of the newspaper’s proposal to boost market economy resonated with me. I was fully aware of the immense damage caused to Mexico by the very destructive proposals of the pro-statist approach during the Echeverría and López Portillo administrations.
I decided not to inherit the open hostility my predecessor, Suárez Mier, had adopted against the competitive alternative offered by El Financiero. I believed civilized competition was much better. Fortunately, things have changed significantly since then, especially after Rogelio Cárdenas’ son passed away.
Farewell and Future Plans
I am certain I never engaged in improvised journalistic collaborations solely to fulfill editorial commitments. Nor do I believe I reused previous collaboration pieces. What has happened is a sense of fatigue and wear after so many years of weekly struggle. I part ways with an institution I hold dear personally, but where few friends remain. Perhaps only Luis Miguel González, the director editorial, remains a friend. Unlike General Mac Arthur’s announcement, ‘I will not return.’
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Bruno? Bruno refers to the author of this reflection, who shares his journalistic journey.
- What was the initial connection to journalism? The author was recommended by a friend and economist, Juan Díez Canedo, to work with the general director of the Bank of Mexico, Miguel Mancera.
- Why the pseudonym for collaboration? The author collaborated using a pseudonym at the insistence of Luis Enrique Mercado, the newspaper’s founder and first editor, to maintain a civil competitive alternative to El Financiero.
- What changed the journalistic landscape? The passing of Rogelio Cárdenas’ son marked significant changes in the journalistic environment.
- Why is Bruno leaving the institution? After many years of weekly efforts, Bruno feels fatigued and senses a dwindling number of friends within the institution. Luis Miguel González remains a friend, but Bruno will not ‘return’ as General Mac Arthur announced.
