The Ghost that Controls the News in Latin America


Bernarda Vasquez

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An essential part of a democratic state is information pluralism. That is why many countries value and promote the diversity of media ownership and plurality in voices, analysis and sources. Each country in Latin America have their own laws to safeguard this principle, but what to do when media ownership transcends Estate's borders, and acquires power at the regional level? This is the case of the "ghost" and its media empire in Latin America.

First of all, it should be clarified that having a communication and media concentration law does not necessarily infringe on freedom of expression, but that certain regulations and quality standards are needed as in any other industry of a country. An example of this are antitrust laws, which aim to prevent anticompetitive behavior in the market and negative effects on consumers, or in this case the audience, through unfair practices or manipulated information. The level of media concentration is usually measured by two procedures: ownership and market dominance.

In Mexico, it can be said that there is a media duopoly, since the companies with the most power are Televisa and TV Azteca. However, there is a competitor who should not be underestimated, Angel Gonzalez, owner of the Medios Albavisión network, who is known as "ghost" since he keeps a low profile. However his participation in the media is not only in Mexico. By 2018, he owned 35 television channels, 114 radio stations, two newspapers and 3 movie theaters in 11 Latin American countries.


Angel Gonzalez has used shell companies and front men to get around local monopoly laws and those that restrict foreigners as owners of local media. For 30 years he has been building his media network in Latin America, however he is never physically seen at the headquarters of these channels, as he manages all his companies remotely and through regional managers.

It is said that the power of the "ghost" is so great that he even selects and finances presidents in Guatemala. This is because his media have the ability to build or destroy someone's image and to influence political preferences. Likewise, its reach has allowed him to be constantly favored in the draw of licenses of television channels and radio frequencies in different countries. Coincidence? I don't think so.

The "ghost" has created the largest Spanish-speaking media network in the world. To some extent, people may say that he has promoted the union of Latin American countries. However, it has also acquired a high level of influence or "soft power" throughout Latin America, which can become very dangerous if used to exert pressure at the political and economical level or to manipulate society. The strategy of the "ghost" to grow beyond its territorial borders has served to overcome legal barriers, because what is the objective of having a national monopoly, when you can get to have regional power? This creates a new enigma... just as there are free trade agreements and alliances of countries, there must be shared regulations between neighboring countries that limit the concentration of media ownership, to prevent excessive growth of power of the media industry, that fair competition is allowed and that ensures that society receives real and objective information.


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