"Mexico president open to modifying telecoms bill after censorship accusations", 25 April 2025

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called... for part of a controversial telecommunications bill to be changed or eliminated, after critics said the legislation could limit free speech and permit government censorship.

The bill moved quickly through Senate committees on Thursday less than 24 hours after Sheinbaum proposed it, after the local broadcast of a U.S. government advertisement discouraging migration stirred controversy.

Sheinbaum argues the legislation would prevent foreign governments from broadcasting political or ideological propaganda in Mexico.

Critics say the bill would deliver control of telecoms to the state through a new agency to replace Mexico's previous telecoms agency, which Sheinbaum's allies in Congress voted to abolish last year.

At a press conference... Sheinbaum said one of the bill's articles, no. 109, should be "clarified" to curb criticism.

"If it's causing confusion and people think it's about censorship, that has never been the goal. In any case, the article should be removed or its wording modified to make it absolutely clear that the government of Mexico is not going to censor anyone, especially not what is published on digital platforms," she said.

... the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mexico made a "respectful call" to the Senate "ensure spaces for consultation and to take into account international standards on freedom of expression, access to information, privacy, digital rights, and Indigenous rights."

While lawmakers had planned to secure final Senate approval next week, Sheinbaum... called for debate to continue into the coming weeks and months.

The ruling Morena party and its allies in Congress have a wide majority in Congress that has allowed them to pass many laws and key constitutional reforms since Sheinbaum took office in October.

Critics say the bill's problems go beyond Article 109 and are part of a broader power grab.

"Morena is going for total control of the internet, social media, radio and TV," opposition senator and former presidential candidate Ricardo Anaya wrote on X. "This is not an isolated event. It is part of a plan for censorship and control."