ABSTRACT
A review of the most outstanding literature on democratic transitions experienced in Latin American countries reveals that Mexico’s case is atypical. The 2006 presidential election put the electoral system to the test, particularly one of its weakest aspects until that point: media access for candidates and political parties. One of the main discussions after that heated process in 2006 focused on negative advertising campaigns and spots broadcast on the electronic media, especially on television and radio. A triad formed by politics, parties and media became firmly entrenched in a young Mexican democracy. A national survey on political culture and citizen practices conducted by the Mexican government in 2012 found that 76% of the population used television as their main source of information about politics. The implications of a political communication model such as the one implemented in Mexico place the various actors in very different perspectives.
