Mexico on the web: the electronic newsstand: part 2
Mexico on the Web:
The electronic newsstand: part 2
Last month we explored Internet sources of news on Mexico among the Mexican press. English-language readers can also find a good overview of what's happening via U.S. newspapers. Often the on-line coverage from the papers is better than the print version, because space limitations are not an issue on the 'Net. More importantly, the papers place the day's news in context and offer valuable links. For those with limited time, we include a mention of specialized newsletters that can be delivered to your e-mail address.
No doubt new services will pop up in the near future as "newspaper wars" simply go on-line where production and distribution costs are greatly lowered. In the meantime, if you'd like to know what happened this past week, check out the following on-line sources:
San Antonio Express News
http://www.expressnews.com/
Rating: **** (out of 5*)
While the website does not have a specific Mexico archive, the newspaper's coverage of Mexico and the borderlands shared by Mexico and the United States deserves special kudos. Unlike other newspapers that tend to sensationalize events in Mexico, the Express News explores business relations and cultural connections without the prejudice of papers farther from the border. There are a number of "extras" on the site, including an homage to the late Tex-Mex sensation Selena ( http://www.expressnews.com/extras/selena/). For those interested in Nafta issues from the border, this site is a must-visit.
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/worldref/country/mexico.htm
Rating: ***
The U.S. daily Washington Post has consistent coverage of Mexico. The website's Mexico page boasts staff-generated articles and free access to recent articles from the Associated Press wire service. You'll also find special reports, such as the Washington Post series on border drug issues: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/frompost/features/nov97/border1102.htm.
The website's only problem is its decidedly one-sided selection of links. Despite the paper's balanced reporting, the website only links to official sources such as the CIA World Factbook or the U.S. State Department. A smattering of non-governmental sources would be welcome.
The Miami Herald
http://www.herald.com/americas/mexico/
Rating: ***
A good one-stop review of what's happening in Mexico can be found on this attractive page created across the Gulf of Mexico. The Herald's website compiles the paper's most recent Mexico stories, relying heavily on Associated Press and Bloomberg News, though coverage does include special investigative reports from the paper's Andreas Oppenheimer. The only fault I find with this site is that its coverage focuses on drug issues, making the Mexico page look more like a police blotter than a country profile.
In addition to these sites, the popular search engines Yahoo and Excite compile Mexico news from a variety of sources. Yahoo ( http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news?p=mexico&n=10) collects items from Reuters, Business Wire and PRNewswire, and Excite ( http://search.excite.com/search.gw?c=timely&sort=date&s=mexico) gathers stories from ABC News and the Philadelphia Inquirer, among others.
News Via Email:
Some of the best analysis of Mexican news are not found directly on the Web but are e-mailed to subscribers as an inexpensive and timely commercial service.
SourceMex
The Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Latin American Data Base produces the weekly Sourcemex and e-mails the newsletter to subscribers for US$75 per year. It's simply one of the best updates and analysis available. For subscription information, e-mail info@ladb.unm.edu, or (from the United States) call (800) 472-0888 or (505) 277-6839, or visit their website at http://ladb.unm.edu/.
The Mexico Weekly Report
The Mexico Weekly Report is a two-to-three page compilation of government, economic, business and national news aimed at businesspeople and others who don't have time to read all the Mexican newspapers in Spanish. The cost is US$8/month or US$20/three months. Request a trial subscription from Roy Segovia at mexrep@mexicoweekly.com. You can check out a sample issue at their website: http://www.mexicoweekly.com.
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