Vanessa Freije, "Citizens of Scandal: Journalism, Secrecy, and the Politics of Reckoning in Mexico" (Duke UP, 2020)

Vanessa Freije, "Citizens of Scandal: Journalism, Secrecy, and the Politics of Reckoning in Mexico" (Duke UP, 2020)

Author: New Books Network March 30, 2025 Duration: 1:02:35
In Citizens of Scandal: Journalism, Secrecy, and the Politics of Reckoning in Mexico (Duke UP, 2020), Vanessa Freije explores the causes and consequences of political scandals in Mexico from the 1960s through the 1980s. Tracing the process by which Mexico City reporters denounced official wrongdoing, she shows that by the 1980s political scandals were a common feature of the national media diet. News stories of state embezzlement, torture, police violence, and electoral fraud provided collective opportunities to voice dissent and offered an important, though unpredictable and inequitable, mechanism for political representation. The publicity of wrongdoing also disrupted top-down attempts by the ruling Partido Revolucionario Institucional to manage public discourse, exposing divisions within the party and forcing government officials to grapple with popular discontent. While critical reporters denounced corruption, they also withheld many secrets from public discussion, sometimes out of concern for their safety. Freije highlights the tensions-between free speech and censorship, representation and exclusion, and transparency and secrecy-that defined the Mexican public sphere in the late twentieth century.

Dive into the vibrant and complex world of Mexico through its latest scholarship. New Books in Mexican Studies, part of the New Books Network, moves beyond textbook summaries to bring you the authors themselves. Each conversation is a direct line to the research shaping our understanding of Mexico's past and present, covering everything from ancient history and revolutionary politics to contemporary art, social movements, and scientific inquiry. You'll hear two experts engage in a detailed, thoughtful discussion about a recently published book, unpacking its arguments, sources, and contributions to the field. This podcast serves as an academic audio library, making cutting-edge scholarship accessible to anyone curious about the depth and diversity of Mexican life and culture. The discussions are substantive yet approachable, offering listeners the chance to eavesdrop on the kind of dialogue that usually happens in university corridors or at academic conferences. Whether you're a seasoned scholar, a student, or simply an intellectually curious listener, these episodes provide a rich, nuanced perspective that challenges simplistic narratives. It’s about hearing the stories behind the studies and understanding why this work matters now. Tune in to discover the people and ideas currently defining Mexican studies, one new book at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

New Books in Mexican Studies
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