Mexico: Proposed Audience Rights Rules Raise Freedom of Expression Concerns

Author: Faryal Fatima

August 28, 2026

HRRC opposes the proposed regulations, as they risk undermining freedom of expression and editorial independence by giving government authorities power over journalistic content. We support safeguards that protect audience rights without giving the state power to regulate journalistic judgment.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum [Image credit: Wikimedia Commons]

On July 28, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum presented a proposal, entitled “General Guidelines for the Protection of Audience Rights”, which would allow government officials to determine the accuracy and fairness of news coverage. The guidelines would cover both commercial and public television and radio broadcasters. An official of the president's office said there are no current plans to use print or digital media.

“Accuracy is a cornerstone of responsible journalism, but the government should not be in charge of deciding whether media outlets are doing their job well,” said Jorge Peniche, senior Mexico researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The Mexican government should revise this draft of administrative rules to ensure it does not threaten free speech and independent media,” he further added.

Companies found violating the government’s determination of accuracy and fairness would be fined or sanctioned, possibly costing companies up to one percent of their annual revenue. Critics of the proposal pointed to the fact that Mexico is already one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, nine were killed last year. “The threat of sanctions alone will have a chilling effect,” one opponent said. 

Mexico's foreign minister responded to the criticism, claiming, “Mexico is experiencing the freest and most democratic period in history.”

In addition to review by government officials, an audience member can bring a claim indicating that their rights have been violated. It is then the right of Mexico’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission to take action and impose sanctions and fines.

In response, the Mexican Internet Association  (AIMX) is advocating for a citizen-centered framework that protects freedom of information, promotes media literacy, strengthens protections for children and adolescents, and prevents state interference in editorial decisions. 

AIMX Director General Julio César Vega also called for a modern regulatory model based on “reasonable diligence” or “safe harbor,” allowing journalists and media outlets to demonstrate good-faith reporting without administrative authorities judging the truth of their editorial content.

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Glossary

• Administrative authority : The elected or appointed official or board having jurisdiction over a function or activity.

• Broadcaster: Someone whose job is to speak on radio or television programmes.

• Citizen-centered framework: An approach that puts citizens’ needs, rights, and interests at the center of policies and decision-making.

• Comply: To act according to an order or set of rules.

• Diligence: The quality of working carefully and with a lot of effort.

• Editorial decisions: Choices a newsroom makes about what gets covered, how it is covered, and how prominently it appears in the final product.

• Framework: A supporting structure around which something can be built.

• Free speech: The right to express your opinions publicly. 

• Independent media: Mass media, such as television, newspaper or internet-based publications, that are free of influence by government or corporate interests.

• Interference: An occasion when someone tries to involve themselves in a situation when their involvement is not wanted or not helpful.

• Jeopardise: To put a plan or system in danger of being harmed or damaged.

• Literacy: The ability to read and write.

• Media literacy: Broadened understanding of literacy that encompasses the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms.

• Reasonable: Based on or using good judgment and therefore fair and practical,

• Safe harbour: A rule that protects a company from being legally responsible for the results of actions that it took or statements that it made believing them to be right.

• Sanction: A strong action taken in order to make people obey a law or rule, or a punishment given when they do not obey. 

• Threaten: To tell someone that you will kill or hurt them or cause problems if they do not do what you want. 

• Violate: To  break or act against something, especially a law, agreement, principle, or something that should be treated with respect.