(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 6 November 2001 IAPA press release: IAPA: Don’t blame the press for bad news MIAMI, Florida (November 6, 2001)-In response to Mexican President Vicente Fox ‘s criticism of the print media in his country, Inter American Press Association (IAPA) President Robert J. Cox said today that “bad news is […]
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 6 November 2001 IAPA press release:
IAPA: Don’t blame the press for bad news
MIAMI, Florida (November 6, 2001)-In response to Mexican President Vicente Fox ‘s criticism of the print media in his country, Inter American Press Association (IAPA) President Robert J. Cox said today that “bad news is not the press’ fault.”
On Saturday November 3, Fox made the disparaging remarks during his weekly radio address to the nation. The president charged that “there is a great deal of distortion in how the news is handled, there is a lot of libel, there is a lot of deception, [and] there are a lot of lies,” in the media. He added that the press attacked him “with a whole load of nonsense” and warned that “they should not believe they are going to overthrow me with criticism in the newspapers.”
Cox, assistant editor of The Post and Courier, in Charleston, South Carolina, expressed surprise and disappointment at Fox’s remarks, stating that “he is talking just like the old-style dictators.”
“It is in difficult times, such as those we are currently going through in the United States and Mexico, when it is more important than ever that presidents show some balance and a sense of humor,” Cox added. “They should also recognize that bad news is not the press’ fault and that criticism is very important for governments.”
Cox explained that “it is very difficult for governments to understand that they should listen to everyone and that the press is the medium of democracy.” He agreed with the Mexican president in the sense that people will stop buying bad newspapers.
Cox said that President Fox “has a right to criticize the press, the same right as anyone else; but if he knows there are lies he must point them out to the public, rather than talk in general terms, which accomplishes nothing.” The IAPA, Cox added, is still waiting for the Mexican government to fulfill its promise to investigate the cases of murdered journalists.
