Radio Educación, Mexico’s pioneering cultural radio station, was established in 1924. Radio Educación’s reach has expanded significantly over the years. Its primary AM signal, XECPAE-AM 1060 kHz, broadcasts 24 hours a day, covering Mexico City and extending to 16 states across the country. The station also operates on FM at 96.5 MHz (XHEP-FM) in Mexico City, and has established FM stations in Mérida, Yucatán (XHYRE-FM 107.9 MHz), Hermosillo, Sonora (XHFLO-FM 104.3 MHz), and Morelia, Michoacán (XHIAM-FM 95.3 MHz). Additionally, Radio Educación maintains an international presence through its shortwave station, XEPPM-OC, which covers the entire country and extends into Central and South America.
Media assets
Radio: Radio Educación
State Media Matrix Typology
Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)
Ownership and governance
Operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture since 2018, the station’s director is appointed by the President of the Republic.
In December 2024, Fernanda Tapia, a prominent media figure known for her open support of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was appointed as the director of Radio Educación. While her appointment has sparked discussions regarding potential shifts in the station’s editorial stance, there have been no concrete reports indicating changes in content or instances of censorship under her leadership.
Source of funding and budget
In 2024, Radio Educación was allocated a budget of MXN 86.6 million, reflecting a modest increase from the MXN 82.4 million received in 2023. The station’s budget amounted to MXN 79.2m (US$ 3.9m) in 2022, according to media reports.
Despite this uptick, the station faced significant financial challenges. Reports indicate that payments to numerous freelance professionals were suspended for several months, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among contributors . This situation raised concerns about fiscal management, especially given that the salaries of top executives accounted for nearly half of the budget designated for service providers.
Editorial independence
Historically, Radio Educación has maintained a reputation for editorial independence, often providing a platform for critical discourse. However, its structural alignment under the Ministry of Culture, as stipulated by a 2018 decree, mandates the station to support the Ministry’s cultural initiatives, potentially influencing its programming direction. While the station continues to air content that scrutinizes governmental policies, the lack of a legal framework explicitly guaranteeing its editorial autonomy leaves it vulnerable to external pressures.
Oversight and ethical standards
To uphold journalistic integrity, Radio Educación has established a Code of Ethics and appointed an Ombudsman to address audience concerns. Additionally, Article 10 of the 2018 decree mandates the formation of a Citizen Council comprising five members to advise on editorial policies. However, the council’s recommendations are non-binding, limiting its efficacy in safeguarding the station’s independence.
May 2025