New Books in Journalism Vanessa Freije, "Citizens of Scandal: Journalism, Secrecy, and the Politics of Reckoning in Mexico" (Duke UP, 2020)
Mar 30, 2025
Vanessa Freije, an Associate Professor at the University of Washington and author of "Citizens of Scandal," dives into Mexico's political scandals from the 1960s to the 1980s. She discusses how journalism became a tool for dissent amid repression, exposing corruption and challenging the ruling party. Freije highlights the paradox of free speech versus censorship and the role of denunciation journalism in fostering political accountability. The conversation reveals the lasting impact of state surveillance and the dynamics of public discourse in shaping contemporary media.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Borderlands Curiosity
- Vanessa Freije's family moved from the Midwest to Southern California near the U.S.-Mexico border when she was 12.
- This experience sparked her interest in borderlands and how connections across borders shape lives and identities, leading her to study Mexican history.
Journalists' Influence
- Mexican novelists often have experience in journalism and government, suggesting a greater influence of journalists in politics.
- Freije's research explores this influence, examining how journalists' roles extend beyond their writing to become intermediaries and shape public discourse.
Scandals and the Public Sphere
- Freije's book examines the causes and consequences of political scandals in Mexico during a period of both repression and openness.
- The chapters trace the evolution of print media, scandals, and civil society engagement from the 1960s to the 1980s.