IN HIS remarkable daily press conferences (mananeras) Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (Amlo) has repeatedly insisted that the press cannot be truly objective or neutral, and that “independent” journalism is a myth, a cover for hidden bias. 

So when on May 17 I had the great good fortune to be allowed to attend one of these events for the Morning Star, I thought carefully about how to describe my work. 

I decided the best term to use is solidarity journalism. What we and other progressive media do is to report and comment, with accuracy and balance as far as possible, but with a clear commitment of solidarity with social movements and progressive governments.

Reflecting my own observations and those of many Mexicans, I asked the president whether Mexican embassies around the world (including that in London) could not do more to publicise the positive transformation taking place in his country. 

They are, in general, efficient in their diplomatic work and in services for Mexican citizens, but say very little about the profound process of change in their country.

In response Amlo recognised that embassies could do more in this respect, and explained that if they don’t, it’s because many career diplomats are right-wing. 

This is still the case because the government respects their labour rights so long as they don’t actively betray the cause. 

He declared that the actual ambassadors (including Josefa Gonzalez Blanco in London) who are political appointees are in his opinion more reliable. 

Many Mexicans don’t agree and are not satisfied, to judge by the hundreds of favourable comments and retweets my question received in the next few hours and days. 

Amlo is masterful at handling such questions tactfully, implicitly recognising the criticism while avoiding confrontation (in this case with his own diplomatic service) for the time being. 

He may well consider this a matter to be dealt with at a later date, possibly by the next president. His willingness to engage in extensive discussion on such issues shows his commitment to dialogue and support for progressive media, and the importance of promoting international awareness of this.

An interview I had a few days earlier on the satirical TV programme El Chamuco (The Devil) pointed in a similar direction, with the hosts welcoming use of the term “solidarity” which had gone out of fashion. 

They agreed that international awareness of Mexico’s transformation is far from adequate, and praised the work done by the Morning Star and a few other progressive media outlets. 

They also showed great interest in the critical economic, social and political situation in Britain, and were delighted to hear of protests against the monarchy.

Current events underline Amlo’s continued success despite tenacious right-wing hostility, and hence the importance of solidarity. 

Last Sunday there are crucial elections of governors and local authorities in two states, the State of Mexico (Edomex, which surrounds the capital and has 17 million population, the largest in the country) and Coahuila (a northern border area). 

Both had long been opposition controlled, and with the win of Amlo’s Morena party, the 4T transformation has taken another great step forward.

International coverage of the election campaigns confirms the importance of solidarity journalism. 

A few days ago (May 31, “How a Mexican state siphoned off millions”) the Guardian carried a surprisingly accurate report on massive corruption under the existing PRI regime in Edomex, but only after publishing a dreadful piece the previous week (May 23, “A megaproject of death”) on Amlo’s Tren Maya railway project, full of distortions and falsehoods. 

The message of this liberal Establishment organ is clear: we recognise the corruption of the old regime in Mexico and what remains of it, but don’t expect much progress under Amlo. 

In Britain we have one great advantage with regard to Mexico: the friendship and commitment of Jeremy Corbyn and his Mexican partner Laura Alvarez with Amlo. 

But the need for regular and detailed solidarity journalism could not be greater, as we aim to provide with our new Mexico Solidarity Forum and with the support of the US-based Mexico Solidarity Project. 

David Raby is a retired academic, writer and journalist in solidarity with progressive movements and governments in Latin America. He can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @DLRaby.