Governor criticizes initiative: 'The Executive will decide what is true or not'
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Chihuahua Governor María Eugenia Campos Galván criticized President Claudia Sheinbaum's "audience rights" initiative, calling it federal censorship.
- Campos Galván argued the initiative allows the executive branch to decide what information is true and who can disseminate it, threatening freedom of expression.
- She accused the federal government of attempting to control information because it cannot convince citizens and warned of a return to an "omnipresent and censoring government."
Chihuahua Governor María Eugenia Campos Galván has sharply criticized a new initiative on "audience rights" proposed by Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, labeling it a dangerous attempt at federal censorship.
We have already had eight years where power has polarized the country, where those who think differently or criticize the government are labeled as liars or traitors to the homeland.
In a video posted on social media, Campos Galván argued that the initiative and its guidelines empower the executive branch to determine what constitutes true information and who is permitted to share it. "We have already had eight years where power has polarized the country, where those who think differently or criticize the government are labeled as liars or traitors to the homeland," she stated, referencing the current administration's daily press conferences that often target critics.
And now they are going to decide what is information and what is opinion?
Campos Galván accused the federal government of resorting to censorship because it is incapable of persuading citizens with its arguments. "To the head of the Executive, we say with all clarity, democracy is not defended by trying to tell people what is true and what is false. Democracy is defended by ensuring that many voices can be expressed, even if they are uncomfortable. That is the heart of the rule of law," she declared.
To the head of the Executive, we say with all clarity, democracy is not defended by trying to tell people what is true and what is false. Democracy is defended by ensuring that many voices can be expressed, even if they are uncomfortable. That is the heart of the rule of law.
The governor warned that this move threatens the freedom of expression for journalists, commentators, reporters, and media outlets. She expressed concern that if this initiative is implemented, it could lead to further restrictions, eventually targeting anyone who expresses dissenting opinions online or in public. Campos Galván also questioned how cases involving figures like Rocha Moya or Marina del Pilar, who she claims remain unpunished, would be classified under the new guidelines – as opinion, information, or disinformation.
We are again facing that threat.
Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.