MXOwnership & classification
Founded: 1916
Ownership
El Universal is a Mexico City daily founded in October 1916 by Felix Palavicini and Emilio Rabasa to cover the end of the Mexican Revolution and the new constitution. It is controlled by the Ealy Ortiz family: Juan Francisco Ealy Ortiz has been owner, president and director since 1969, holding it through Compania Periodistica Nacional, a private S.A. de C.V. that shields shareholding details. It is a family-owned commercial publisher, not state-owned.
Funding
El Universal is financed commercially through print and digital advertising, copy sales and online subscriptions. As with most large Mexican dailies, government (official) advertising has historically been a revenue source, but it operates as a private for-profit company rather than on a state budget.
Affiliation & stance
El Universal is privately owned by a single family with no party or state control, which makes it INDEPENDENT, with broadly CENTER (establishment) coverage. Its main dependency risk is the general Mexican pattern of discretionary government advertising influencing outlets, but ownership and editorial control rest with the Ealy Ortiz family rather than a party or the state.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1427
84/100
Factual
77/100
Objective
2204
Articles
2144
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Join a mushroom tour in a CDMX forest
The article promotes a guided mushroom-hunting tour ('hongosto') in a forest area south of Mexico City (CDMX). The activity, organized by Dinamos Paidos, an environmental education school and eco-tourism agency, takes place during August and September, coinciding with heavy rains that encourage fungal growth. Participants learn to identify edible and toxic species, including 'Lactarius indigo,' and engage in activities like camping and gourmet dining based on mushrooms. Tours cost $800 per adult and $500 for children, with an additional fee for camping. The piece includes advertisements for related travel packages and a newsletter subscription offer.
A simple recipe for lasagna with beef
The article provides a simple recipe for making lasagna with beef, emphasizing the use of affordable ingredients and easy preparation. It lists all necessary ingredients including beef, cheese, vegetables, pasta, and spices, along with detailed steps for cooking the beef sauce, béchamel sauce, and assembling the lasagna layers. The instructions include tips such as preheating the oven, layering the ingredients properly, and baking at 180°C. The article concludes by encouraging readers to try this dish as a favorite meal.
Verde also disassociates himself from Rocha Moya; Velasco considers the governor's return "imprudent"
Manuel Velasco, coordinator of the parliamentary group of the Green Party of Mexico (PVEM) in the Senate, stated that his faction does not support or agree with Rubén Rocha Moya’s decision to return to the governorship of Sinaloa, calling it 'imprudent' due to ongoing investigations by authorities, as noted by the Ministry of Governance. Meanwhile, the Morena parliamentary group in the Senate emphasized that it is up to the authorities and justice institutions to act according to law and thoroughly conduct investigations involving the state governor and criminal groups. They described themselves as respectful of these inquiries and reiterated that Rocha Moya’s return to office is a personal decision, similar to his request for leave in May amid accusations from the U.S. Department of Justice. Morena legislators urged Rocha Moya to reconsider his decision to allow the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and other competent authorities to continue their investigations independently and without any doubts about impartiality. The group also highlighted President Claudia Sheinbaum’s stance that no one can stand above the law and stressed that personal interests should not compromise
Guadalupe Pineda: "Music also reflects violence"
Guadalupe Pineda, una cantante mexicana conocida por su carrera en el bolero, reflexiona sobre cómo la música contemporánea refleja la violencia y la inseguridad en la sociedad moderna. En una entrevista con El Universal, Pineda mencionó que ciertas letras de canciones populares entre jóvenes parecen estar influenciadas por el entorno social, incluyendo la exposición constante a imágenes violentas en redes sociales. A pesar de esto, Pineda cree que los gustos musicales son cíclicos y que la poesía en la música, representada por el bolero, eventualmente volverá a tener relevancia. Ella destacó la importancia del bolero en la cultura musical y mencionó artistas como Silvana Estrada y Luciano Daniel como ejemplos de cómo este género puede seguir siendo relevante para nuevas generaciones.
Netflix's "The Catch" has narco races, but enforces the dry law.
The article discusses the red carpet event for the Netflix series 'La Captura,' which featured narcocorridos and northern music but maintained a 'dry law' policy by serving water instead of alcohol. It mentions the atmosphere of the event and the presence of celebrities like Cristian Castro and Marcos Valdés, highlighting their resemblance to their father, Manuel 'El Loco' Valdés. The piece also covers Guadalupe Pineda's appreciation for Bad Bunny's reggaeton album 'DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS' and her preference for the track 'NUEVAYoL.'
Paramedics take advantage of the protest to sell around the Alameda
The article reports on informal vendors who have been blocking roads around Alameda Central in Mexico City as part of a protest over reduced spaces within the park. These vendors combine their demonstrations with selling food items such as tamales, street corn, hot dogs, and coffee, as well as various goods like umbrellas and crafts. The presence of these stalls has affected traffic, leading authorities to redirect vehicles. Some residents express mixed feelings about the vendors' activities, acknowledging their necessity but criticizing the blockages. The article also mentions ongoing issues with waste disposal and other related news.
Playa Escobilla in Oaxaca, the sanctuary of the dolphin turtle
The article describes the nesting process of olive ridley turtles at Playa Escobilla, a protected sanctuary in Oaxaca, Mexico. It highlights the significance of this beach as one of the most important globally for turtle nesting, noting over 113,000 turtles have arrived, with each laying around 100 eggs. The species, Lepidochelys olivacea, is classified as endangered due to threats like poaching, fishing, habitat destruction, and natural phenomena. Officials from the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) emphasize the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts, as park rangers are insufficient to prevent egg theft. While there is no official figure on the scale of poaching, reports suggest millions of eggs are stolen annually, with thieves stealing between 50 and 100 nests per incursion. Authorities have seized thousands of eggs through operations.
The wait is long, but it's worth it for the savings
The article reports on the long wait times at food distribution centers known as 'Utopías' in several districts of Mexico City, where residents line up for affordable meals. Residents like Blanca Rodríguez describe waiting four to five hours for a meal priced at 11 pesos, which includes food and flavored water. The centers operate daily starting at 1 PM, and some report that the demand often exceeds supply, forcing them to take multiple portions. Some users combine their purchases with nearby services, such as a tortilleria, to manage daily expenses. While many appreciate the affordability and quality of the food, they express frustration over limited quantities and suggest increasing the number of meals prepared daily. The piece highlights both the necessity of these services for low-income families and the challenges of meeting high demand.
E-bikes and fat bikes cause concern in the European Union
The article discusses growing concerns in the European Union (EU) over the increasing prevalence of personal mobility devices such as e-scooters, electric skateboards, fat bikes, and other motorized vehicles, which pose safety risks on roads. While overall road safety has improved in the EU, with a 22% decrease in fatalities involving two-wheeled motorized vehicles between 2011 and 2024, experts warn that the rise of these new types of vehicles could threaten this progress. The Council of European Transport Safety (ETSC) attributes part of the decline in deaths to stricter licensing requirements introduced in 2013, including age-based restrictions and mandatory training for younger drivers. The article highlights examples like the Netherlands, where obtaining a license for moped driving involves theoretical and practical exams, costing around €350–€600. It also notes that while helmet use is mandated across the EU and compliance is high, national governments have implemented additional preventive measures focusing on equipment standards.
Scooter boom, the law of the jungle; disorderly growth floods US
The article discusses the rapid growth of scooter usage in the United States, highlighting both its benefits and challenges. It notes that the surge in scooter popularity has contributed to increased traffic congestion, higher food delivery rates, and rising fuel costs. The lack of national regulation has led to inconsistent rules across states, making it difficult to track and manage these vehicles effectively. Sales data from 2021 show significant increases compared to previous years, with some models experiencing tripled demand during the pandemic. Users like Juliana Beltrán highlight the convenience and cost-effectiveness of scooters, while others note the additional expenses involved beyond the initial purchase price. Recent sales figures indicate a decline in combined motorcycle and scooter sales in 2024 and early 2025.
The interminable highway from Atizapán to Atlacomulco; 11 years of work
The construction of the Atizapán-Atlacomulco highway (AT-AT) has been ongoing for 11 years but remains incomplete, with local communities blocking progress due to disputes over environmental impact and infrastructure damage. Residents in areas such as Rancho Blanco, Espíritu Santo, and Los Gallos have halted construction equipment and demanded the completion of at least 10 vehicle bridges, repairs to damaged roads, and compensation. The conflict escalated in early August when community members, accompanied by representatives from the concessionaire Aleatica, highlighted the negative effects of the project. They placed yellow signs prohibiting the movement of Aleatica ICA vehicles and blocked access to construction equipment. Media reports indicate that work along the highway is stalled, with partially built structures still requiring completion.
Garbage dump turned into grave; searching mothers dig tons to find them
In Tijuana’s Prado del Águila neighborhood, mothers known as 'buscadoras' have been searching for missing persons in a sanitary landfill operated by Grupo GEN. The site, located between Tijuana and Playas de Rosarito, has become a makeshift mass grave due to ongoing violence and disappearances. Residents describe the area as the 'Triangle of the Bermuda Triangle' due to frequent reports of people going missing. One resident, Antonio, recounts finding bloodstains on a truck and witnessing the discovery of human remains. Another woman, Teresa, receives a call indicating her daughter-in-law has been found alive after eight months of disappearance. The landfill, which is also used as a clandestine cemetery, has been linked to over 5,200 reported disappearances. Local groups continue their search efforts amid growing concerns about organized crime and state failure.
Rains this Saturday, August 22, leave 13 million cubic meters of water in CDMX; Segiagua attends water fillings
Following heavy rains on Saturday, August 22, the City of Mexico (CDMX) recorded over 13 million cubic meters of water. The Secretariat of Integrated Water Management (Segiagua) deployed 136 personnel, including engineers and specialized teams, along with 56 pieces of machinery, to address 54% of reported waterlogging incidents across seven municipalities. The affected areas included Cuauhtémoc, Iztapalapa, Iztacalco, Tláhuac, Álvaro Obregón, Coyoacán, and Tlalpan. Operations focused on locations such as Insurgentes Sur in Coyoacán, where hydrodynamic units were used to remove accumulated water. The rainfall exceeded 13 million cubic meters, with several rain gauges recording significant amounts, including Zarco with 31.25 millimeters.