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El Norte isn’t just a newspaper—it’s a battleground for independent journalism in Mexico, and it’s been holding the line for over 80 years. If you care about truth in the face of power, this is one name you should know.
What Makes El Norte Different?
El Norte, based in Monterrey, Nuevo León, is one of those rare news outlets that didn’t fold when the heat came on. Founded in 1938, it’s part of Grupo Reforma—Mexico’s most respected media conglomerate. But what sets El Norte apart is its record of standing up to government pressure, organized crime, and even economic sabotage.
In the 1990s, when the federal government tried to starve them by cutting off paper supplies, El Norte didn’t back down. They imported their own paper and kept printing. That’s not a metaphor—it literally happened. While other papers softened their coverage to stay afloat, El Norte doubled down on investigative reporting.
It’s Not Just Print—ElNorte.com Leads Online Too
Sure, their newspaper is legendary, but El Norte also nailed the digital transition. Their website, elnorte.com, isn’t just a mirror of the print edition. It’s a full-blown digital newsroom with real-time updates, investigative pieces, video reports, opinion columns, and interactive content.
The interface is clean. Fast. Mobile-friendly. And they’ve got a legit app that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. You get access to breaking news alerts, can bookmark stories, listen to audio versions of articles, and even get the full e-paper every morning before breakfast.
Their Social Game? Strong.
They’re not hiding in the ivory tower of legacy journalism. El Norte is out there—loud and active on social.
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Facebook: Nearly 1 million likes.
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Instagram: Over 260,000 followers.
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Twitter/X: Posting constant news drops, links, and sometimes spicy commentary.
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TikTok: Yes, even there—pushing serious stories in short form with nearly 150,000 followers.
It’s not just for engagement either. This multiplatform approach is how they’re pulling in younger audiences who don’t read broadsheets.
Editorial Independence: Not Just a Slogan
“Periodismo sin ataduras” is their motto—“Journalism without strings.” And they mean it.
El Norte isn’t funded by the state. They don’t accept government advertising, which is a massive deal in Mexico, where media dependency on political money often kills real accountability.
In fact, back in 2012, their offices were attacked with grenades. Not once—three separate times. Why? Because they dared to report on organized crime and political corruption in ways that other papers wouldn’t touch.
Most outlets would’ve toned things down after that. El Norte published more.
Deep Local Roots, National Impact
You can’t ignore how embedded they are in Monterrey. El Norte isn’t just covering the city; they’re part of its social fabric. Their “Gente” and “Vida” sections capture high society and cultural life in ways that matter locally. But it’s not fluff—these features sit right next to national security stories, policy deep-dives, and exposés on corruption.
At the same time, they reach far beyond Nuevo León. Their investigative reports are picked up across Mexico. Politicians know a front-page El Norte story can shake a presidency.
High-Quality Journalism, Backed by Real Infrastructure
This isn't a ragtag team running on passion. El Norte is part of Grupo Reforma, the same group behind Reforma in Mexico City and Mural in Guadalajara.
They have access to some of the country’s best journalists, legal teams, and distribution networks. That translates into better stories, deeper investigations, and actual staying power.
They also operate on a subscription-based model. You pay for the news, you get the truth. No pay-to-play. No sponsored fluff dressed up as reporting.
Multimedia and Specialized Coverage
They’re not stuck in the past. El Norte runs niche supplements—like Cancha (sports), Automotriz (cars), Viajes (travel), and local neighborhood inserts. It's hyperlocal when it needs to be, but can zoom out to give you a national or even international picture with the same precision.
And if you’re the kind of reader who skims the front page and goes straight for the in-depth stuff, their editorial opinion section is stacked with award-winning columnists.
Pricing and Access
Yes, it’s a paywall model, but it’s fair.
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Digital plans start around $435 MXN per quarter.
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Family plans and print bundles run higher, around $1,700 MXN per quarter, but include everything—app access, early e-paper editions, and curated alerts.
Bottom line: if you care about serious journalism, it’s worth it.
Why El Norte Still Matters in 2025
Because most media outlets—especially in Latin America—struggle to stay truly independent. Governments dangle money, cartels dangle threats, and advertisers want influence. El Norte has been through all that and came out still reporting.
They don’t just report stories. They shape conversations. When El Norte calls out corruption, people listen. When they highlight a broken system, change often follows.
That’s rare. That’s power.
FAQs About El Norte
Is El Norte biased?
It leans hard on investigative and anti-corruption reporting. If that looks “biased” to someone, it’s probably because they’re used to watered-down media.
Can you read El Norte for free?
Some articles are unlocked, but full access requires a subscription. It’s part of how they fund independent reporting.
What’s the difference between El Norte and Reforma?
Same parent company, different regions. Reforma focuses on Mexico City. El Norte covers Monterrey and the northeast.
Why was El Norte attacked in 2012?
Because they exposed criminal networks. Drug cartels and corrupt officials didn’t like that.
Is El Norte internationally recognized?
Yes. They’ve received awards like the Maria Moors Cabot Prize for journalism excellence in the Americas.
Final Thought
El Norte is everything a modern newspaper should be—fearless, digital-savvy, hyperlocal, and globally respected. In a media landscape full of compromises, they still choose integrity. That alone makes them worth watching, reading, and supporting.
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