Sheinbaum tells PAN to hold their own press conferences, rejects reply rights at 'mañanera'

President Claudia Sheinbaum has dismissed the National Action Party's (PAN) demand for reply rights during the government's daily "mañanera" press conferences. Sheinbaum suggested that PAN members should instead hold their own press conferences, stating they have ample access to media and social networks.

"Let them hold their press conference," Sheinbaum stated during her own briefing on Thursday. She emphasized that as public servants, PAN members can utilize resources to organize their own events. She also noted that the "mañanera" is intended for public information and debate, not as a platform for political parties to air grievances.

The PAN, led by national president Jorge Romero Herrera, had proposed a package of reforms aimed at curbing harassment and censorship of journalists and media outlets. A key part of their proposal included establishing a right to reply within the "mañanera" sessions, arguing that current media guidelines from the ruling party constitute an attempt at censorship.

The PAN's reform initiative seeks to amend Article 38 of the constitution to impose sanctions on public officials who use state resources to intimidate or silence journalists and citizens. They also proposed modifying the Law on the Right of Reply to set a maximum three-day period for responding to such requests. Sheinbaum, however, maintains that the "mañanera" is a space for ongoing public information and debate, and that false news can be countered through similar public exercises.