Mexico’s president-elect to centralize press relations

MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been media-friendly since his July 1 election victory, holding near-daily news conferences.

But he announced a centralization of media relations that drew gasps from journalists Tuesday, saying government departments would no longer have their own press offices.

All media relations will go through the president’s own press office once Lopez Obrador takes office Dec. 1.

Lopez Obrador says it’s a cost-saving measure to avoid duplication.

At present, many Mexican government departments have sprawling media presence, including large advertising budgets. The government also has some state-owned media outlets.