Canal Once, launched on March 2, 1959, is Mexico’s first public television station. Owned by the National Polytechnic Institute (Instituto Politécnico Nacional, IPN), it broadcasts a variety of cultural and educational programming nationwide. The channel also produces and airs Once Noticias newscasts.
Media assets
Television: Canal Once
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
Canal Once is owned by the IPN, which operates under the Federal Ministry of Public Education. The channel’s director is appointed and can be removed by the President of Mexico. As of October 2024, Renata Turrent, an economist and member of the Morena party, serves as the director of Canal Once. She was appointed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, who succeeded Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) in October 2024. Turrent previously coordinated the “Diálogos por la Transformación” project during Sheinbaum’s presidential campaign.
Source of funding and budget
The Mexican government provides the majority of Canal Once’s funding. In 2021, the channel operated with a budget of MXN 560.9m (approximately US$ 27.6m). This increased to MXN 572m in 2022, MXN 602m (US$ 35.6m) in 2023, and MXN 634m (US$ 35.77m) in 2024, according to data provided by the broadcaster.
For the 2025 fiscal year, Canal Once’s authorized budget for acquisitions, leases, and services is MXN 373.1m. By law, the channel is prohibited from carrying advertising but typically generates revenue through sponsorships.
Editorial independence
While Canal Once offers diverse content, its news reporting has been observed to favor the ruling government. Following AMLO’s 2018 election and the appointment of a new director, programs featuring hosts aligned with the Morena party were introduced. Examples include “Buena Fe,” hosted by Gibrán Ramírez, a political analyst and Morena leadership candidate, and “La Maroma Estelar,” known for its favorable coverage of the government and criticism of its opponents.
Another program, “John y Sabina,” featured hosts John Ackerman and Sabina Berman, both supporters of AMLO, who often interviewed government officials and endorsed their decisions. Ackerman is married to the head of the Secretariat of the Public Service.
Although Canal Once has aired documentaries and programs critical of the government, reports of censorship have emerged in recent years. Local journalists allege that content critical of authorities, particularly former President AMLO, was not tolerated. Given that Claudia Sheinbaum, AMLO’s protégé, assumed the presidency in October 2024, significant editorial changes at Canal Once are not anticipated.
Canal Once operates under a “Quality Manual” that outlines internal operational rules; however, this does not equate to a statute guaranteeing the broadcaster’s independence. In accordance with Article 259 of the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Act, all Mexican broadcast media must have an Ombudsman responsible for handling audience feedback and ensuring compliance with a code of ethics. Canal Once has both a Code of Conduct for its staff and an ethics committee, though the committee primarily comprises individuals reporting to the general director. Additionally, the channel has a Citizen Council tasked with analyzing content and making recommendations to enhance editorial independence.
May 2025