Mexican Press
Benjamin Smith counters these findings, arguing that despite the development of elaborate methods to both persuade and coerce the press, state control was not inescapable, especially in the provinces. By looking beyond the big Mexico City dailies to the tabloid and regional press, Smith demonstrates that even at the peak of the PRI’s influence Mexican newspapers did not always walk in lockstep with the government—there was room for dissent, for parody, and for popular grievances. Sometimes the content and form of the print news was shaped more by civil society than by business leaders and their government cronies. Smith takes great care, however, not to overstate his claims. The press was not entirely free, of course, and the limits of its freedom were determined by the state.