Exposing Mexican Media's Bogus 'Censorship' Claims

Exposing Mexican Media's Bogus 'Censorship' Claims

Author: Soberanía Podcast August 5, 2026 Duration: 59:19

In episode 118 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth dive into Mexico's new audience rights legislation — a constitutional reform originally passed in 2013 under Peña Nieto that requires broadcasters to have a code of ethics, an ombudsman, and a mechanism for audience reply. The hosts dismantle the corporate media's "censorship" narrative, noting that the law applies only to concessionaires of the public airwaves, does not regulate content, and merely gives audiences a voice against the kind of weaponized misinformation that corporate media has wielded for decades. They also provide an update on Canal Once, retaken by workers after a two-month student occupation, and argue the students, while having legitimate grievances about the polytechnic, chose the wrong target and damaged public access to information.Next, they examine the UNAM admissions fiasco, where an online exam administered by a private contractor produced anomalous results — with perfect scores skyrocketing 450% in some programs. The hosts connect the exam furor to broader structural issues: the privileged "golden caste" running the UNAM, the exploitation of precarious adjunct professors paid 120 pesos an hour, and the need for systemic reform.The conversation then turns to the escalating diplomatic dispute between Brazil and the U.S., where Washington has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador after Lula blocked two U.S. officials from entering the country — officials Brazil believes were planning to undermine confidence in its electoral system. Kurt and José Luis argue this is a necessary act of defiance against a pattern of U.S. election interference seen across the region.Losers and Haters takes aim at Nexus magazine, which published a grotesque defense of Israel's genocide in Gaza, complete with racist tropes about Palestinian children being "future martyrs." The hosts note the sad state of Mexico's cultural journalism — where the only remaining magazines are either genocidal apologists or hollowed-out shells.


Navigating the complex landscape of Mexican politics requires more than just headlines. Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast offers a distinct entry point, providing consistent news and analysis grounded in a grassroots, leftist perspective. This isn't about distant political commentary; it's about understanding the forces, movements, and people shaping Mexico from the ground up. Each episode digs into the stories behind the news, examining the players and power dynamics that often get lost in translation for English-language audiences. You'll hear discussions that connect policy to everyday life, analyzing developments with a focus on social movements, labor, and community action. The goal is to foster a deeper, more nuanced comprehension of the country beyond conventional narratives. By tuning into this podcast, you gain access to a dedicated space for thoughtful exploration of Mexican current affairs, where analysis is tied directly to the perspectives of those most impacted by political decisions. The Soberanía Podcast serves as a vital resource for anyone looking to move past superficial reporting and engage with the substantive, often overlooked, conversations defining Mexico's present and future.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Goodbye Grift: Mexico Neuters US-Funded NGOs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:37
In episode 101 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth return from a brief break to tackle the Mexican tax authority's decision to revoke the tax-deductible status some NGOs operating in the countr…
Iran's Existential Fight: Lessons for Latin America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:18
In episode 98 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth analyze the widening global conflict following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran and its implications for Mexico and Latin America.The episode le…
Mexico Takes Down El Mencho: Fake News War Erupts Online [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:43
In episode 97 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth dissect the fallout from the Mexican military's operation that killed Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generati…
The Mining Minefield: US Sets Sights on Mexico’s Strategic Minerals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:29
In episode 95 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth tackle the controversy surrounding the U.S.-Mexico critical minerals agreement, examining what it actually says, what it doesn’t, and why it ha…