The press and sensationalism

Abstract

El periodismo mexicano de la época revolucionaria vio nacer la figura del reporter, espíritu que animo el nuevo estilo informativo. Al principio, el objetivo de la prensa conservadora era desprestigiar al movimiento y convencer al lector de que las acciones del gobierno eran eficaces, sin importar que los métodos utilizados fueran poco éticos. Conforme avanzo la Revolución, las diferentes casas editoras aprendieron que mantenerse al margen de los grupos en pugna les reportaba más beneficios, por lo que, a su manera, buscaron la "imparcialidad". Evidentemente sus intereses no eran los de la sociedad. Se trataba de vender y, por ende, de ofrecer algo atractivo al consumidor: hechos escandalosos, sangrientos, calumniosos. El resultado fue un público poco participativo y un retroceso del periodismo crítico.Mexican journalism of the revolutionary period saw the emergence of reporters, who encouraged a new style of information. Initially, the aim of the conservative press was to vilify the movement and to convince readers that the government"s actions were effective, regardless of the unethical methods used. As the Revolution progressed, the different publishers realized that staying on the sidelines was more in their interest and so, in their own way, they strove towards "impartiality". Of course, their interests were not the same as those of the public. The goal was to sell by offering the consumer something attractive: scandal, blood, and slander. The result was to lower public participation and to hold back the development of critical journalism.