Journalisms

As in every profession, there is a diversity of journalisms practiced in Mexico.?There is one that informs what people need/want to hear, and another that always challenges its audience. There’s the kind that exposes corruption and the kind that conceals it.

There’s the type that believes only a university makes a journalist, and another that thinks a journalist is made on the streets. Furthermore, there’s the opinion that journalism degrees should be converted into diplomas.

There is journalism that systematically lies, and another that self-censors to avoid ending up dead. There’s one that is highly privileged, and another that doesn't even have social security. There’s one that grants no merit to the President or his successor, and another that sanctifies them.

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There’s the kind that tolerates presidential excesses, and also the kind that, with data in hand, legitimately questions them. There’s journalism that strikes in order to be paid, and another that requires the approval of public officials. Some profit from violence and misery, while others publish leaks disguised as reporting.

There’s the journalism that calls itself “the people’s ally” and the kind that does “social service.” There’s journalism “in search of the truth,” and another, nearly extinct, that only tries to be honest. There’s the kind that deceives its audience, spreading news that chilangos will lose their private property or that the approval of judicial reform signals the "beginning of destruction." And there’s the kind that tells us impunity has ended.

There is journalism that corroborates what seems impossible to prove, that turns to knowledge to interpret the reporting. The kind that shakes off its prejudices. That doesn’t classify people as good or bad. And there’s the kind that isn’t written with bile, but with information.

There is journalism that whitewashes the perpetrator, and another that sees itself as a victim. There’s also the journalism that has chosen to stand with the victims and the voiceless, all the way to the end.

There’s the kind that attaches the labels "independent" and "free." The kind that openly acknowledges being militant. And there’s one that is uncritical and de-ideologized. There’s the kind that submits to its sponsors and editorial line. The kind that is funded by the U.S. Embassy or alleged philanthropists.

The kind that survives on government advertising. The kind that appeals to monetization. The one that funds its audience through voluntary donations. And there’s also the kind that is sponsored by organized crime or a political party.

There is journalism that perpetuates the mandates of white journalism: the rude competition, the false impartiality, and political correctness.

And there’s the kind practiced in community, rejecting what’s woke. There’s the kind that chases awards and recognition. There’s another that collects followers. And there’s even the journalism that believes the profession can be taken seriously through Netflix and Spotify.

There’s journalism that believes the DEA, FBI, and CIA are Captain America. And there’s another that sees them as interventionist and destabilizing agencies.

There’s journalism that abuses anonymous sources, and another that risks them. There’s one that takes on the roles of detective or judge, and another that disguises propaganda as opinion in prime time.

There’s the kind that converted to Obradorism for money. The kind that charges for interviews.

The kind that believes it’s indispensable to the profession.

And there’s also the journalism guided by various verbs: understand, doubt, verify, explain, reveal, question.

What kind of journalism do you prefer?

BY ALEJANDRO ALMAZÁN
CONTRIBUTOR
@ELALEXALMAZAN