Censorship in Mejico
Censorship in Mejico includes all forms of suppression of free speech in Mejico. The Constitution of the Mejican Empire provides for free speech, although Mejican jurists have interpreted certain limitations and exceptions to this right. The government has implemented various measures to regulate and control the dissemination of certain information and ideas, particularly those that are deemed subversive or harmful to national security.
One of the main mechanisms of censorship in Mejico is the control of telecommunications and other media corporations. Within Mejico's corporatist economy, the state has maintained a significant influence over media ownership and regulation. The Secretariat of Communication and Transportations (SECOT) is responsible for overseeing the media landscape and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. Media outlets are required to obtain licenses from the SECOT, and any content considered to violate the law can be subject to censorship or punitive measures.
While being nominally pro-free speech, the Mejican Empire censors "excessive criticism" of the Emperor and the Royal Family, subversive movements, offensive and overtly sexually explicit material, content that incites violence or hatred, "callous" accusations against clergy members and "defamatory" claims against the Catholic Church, among others. These restrictions are justified on the grounds of maintaining national security, social stability, and preserving the dignity and honor of the monarchy. However, critics have argued that these regulations have been used as a tool to suppress political dissent.
The National Commission of the Press (Comisión Nacional de la Prensa; CONAPRE) is the government agency responsible for monitoring and enforcing censorship regulations, while the Mejican Inquisition plays a significant role in both religious and moral censorship. The CONAPRE works to uncover and suppress any content that is considered contrary to the interests of the state, including online content, printed materials, and public speeches. Enforcement of censorship measures is carried out through a combination of legal proceedings, administrative actions, and government surveillance. The Mejican government and the Inquisition both have the authority to impose fines and seize publications, while suspending broadcasting licenses and initiating criminal prosecutions against individuals or organizations are the exclusive faculty of the government.
The Mejican Congress has also implemented restrictive laws and regulations regarding online activity and social media. The Ley de Ciberseguridad y Protección de la Información (2019) grants authorities the power to monitor online communications and block access to websites or social media platforms that are deemed to be in violation of the law. Through this law, the government has the prerogative of banning or censoring material such as pornography, foreign propaganda, hate speech, and content that promotes violence. Online platforms and service providers are required to cooperate with authorities, providing access to user data and implementing measures to ensure compliance with the law.
While certain forms of speech are banned in Mejico, political discourse and governmental criticism are still permitted within certain boundaries. Individuals and organizations are allowed to express their opinions on governmental policies and actions, as long as they are not considered defamation or incitement to violence. For example, Gabrielist publications, books, articles, organizations, and more, are not censored despite the official government policy being one of Iturbidism.