Radio Educación is the first culture-focused radio station in Mexico. It was launched in 1924 at the initiative of the Ministry of Public Education. The station broadcasts in Mexico City, Mérida, Yucatan (in the south of the country), Michoacán (in Central Mexico), Hermosillo (in the north of the country) and internationally.


Media assets

Radio: Radio Educación

State Media Matrix Typology: Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)


Ownership and governance

The station has been run since 2018 by the Ministry of Culture and its director is appointed by the President of the Republic.

Source of funding and budget

The station’s budget comes entirely from a state subsidy. In 2022, it was worth MXN 79.2m (US$ 3.9m), according to data from the media.

Editorial independence

The editorial content of the station has traditionally been critical of the government largely because Radio Educación has a union that defended left-wing positions before the change of government in 2018. However, the design of the station allows governments to interfere with its programming. According to legal provisions in place, the station is subordinated to the Ministry of Culture and must comply with the institution’s demands. It is a broadcaster that has little legal support to be independent but has managed thus far to keep running shows that are critical of the government.

The government agreement establishing the tasks of Radio Educación and its subordination to the Ministry of Culture was published in October 2018. This decree states that the broadcaster should “support the cultural tasks entrusted by the Ministry of Culture.”

Nevertheless, generally the editorial content of the station is critical and its journalists are in most cases reporting independently.

No domestic statute that establishes the independence of Radio Educación has been identified.

In addition to an Ombudsman and a Code of Ethics, article 10 of the decree that legally established Radio Educación, states that the station must have a Citizen Council composed of five people to advise on its editorial policy. The council’s decisions, however, are not legally binding.

August 2023