Canal del Congreso began operations in 1998, initially on paid distribution networks. Since 2016 it has operated as an open-to-air television station with three channels that broadcast the live sessions of the House of Representatives and various other shows such as documentaries, analytical programs and interviews (channel 45.1), reports on the activities of the Senate (channel 45.2) and educational content (channel 45.3).
Media assets
Television: Channel 45.1, Channel 45.2, Channel 45.3
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
Canal del Congreso has some autonomy from the government, but it depends on the Congress, which runs the channels and appoints its director. The highest internal authority of the broadcaster is a Bicameral Commission made up of senators and MPs of different political parties. This governance structure gives full control over the channel to lawmakers and does not grant any independence to journalists and managers working for the outlet.
Source of funding and budget
The annual budget of Canal del Congreso is a total of MXN 202.2m (US$ 9.1m), which is covered almost entirely by state funds (the channel is also allowed to generate financial resources via sponsorship).
Editorial independence
Since its creation, the Congress Channel has continuously experienced pressure from the majority parliamentary groups. According to the channel’s founding director, the journalist Virgilio Caballero, they even demanded the screen time to be proportional with the number of MPs or senators they have. The Congress Channel has independence from the government, but not from the legislators who, through a Bicameral Commission, decide all matters related to the politics of the broadcaster. This explains why some programs on Canal del Congreso can be considered propaganda.
Canal del Congreso has several internal rules, the most complete being the Congress Channel Regulation (others include the Congress Channel Communication Policies, the Congress Channel User Guide and the Congressional Channel Ombudsman Guidelines, in addition to a Code of Ethics). All these regulations mandate that there is plurality in the broadcast content but they do not qualify as domestic statues that establish the channel’s editorial independence.
Canal del Congreso has an honorary and independent Advisory Council, which makes recommendations to the channel’s management. It is composed of highly regarded academics, journalists and members of civil society organizations. It also has a Code of Ethics.
August 2023