The former Secretary of Social Development, YAC, offers a top-of-the-line car to any journalist who can prove that 986 million pesos were allocated for food packages during her management. The unions see it as an inappropriate challenge.
The controversy has erupted in the political and media sphere of Tamaulipas after former official YAC, known for her time at the Ministry of Social Development (SEDESOL), issued an unusual challenge to journalists: she offers a top-of-the-line car if they can prove that 986 million pesos were allocated for the purchase of food packages during her tenure.
The offer, which YAC has maintained since June 26, has been interpreted by communicators as an attempt to divert attention and pressure the press, which she accuses of publishing unfavourable information. However, the journalistic community rejects the provocation: reporters do not investigate to win cars, but to inform society.
A challenge that unsettles the press
The former official has insisted on her “challenge”, as if journalists had the authority to conduct judicial investigations or file formal complaints. But the reality is that the work of the press is limited to inquiring, asking, and exposing matters of public interest. They are neither prosecutors nor judges, and even less responsible for compiling investigation files.
“Public contracts are not invented in newsrooms, nor do journalists perform the functions of the Public Ministry,” say sources from the journalistic guild in Tamaulipas. The press informs and opines so that society does not walk blindly, not to engage in absurd competitions with those who have held public office.
The offer of cars has been seen as an act of contempt towards the media. YAC, who has shown irritation at publications that point her out, seeks to shift the focus of attention to journalists, a classic strategy of politicians who feel cornered.
Formal accusations in the hands of the Prosecutor's Office
It is important to clarify that the media have not filed judicial complaints against YAC. The accusations of misuse of powers and authorities come from civil society representatives and the Prosecutor's Office, which is already investigating the facts. The press has only reported on those complaints and has inquired about the fate of the nearly one billion pesos.
“We have not seen any publication stating that the nearly one billion was diverted or ‘lost’,” local journalists assert. What is known is that the formal accusations are for misuse of powers and authorities, and that the former official signed the contracts, although part of the money may have ended up in other hands.
The question many are asking is why YAC does not challenge the Prosecutor's Office or the judges, instead of staging a media spectacle to claim she is politically persecuted. “There she cannot stage a spectacle,” journalists ironically remark.
A gesture that convinces no one
It is highly likely that YAC will not buy the cars and will keep her money. No one in their right mind would enter into an absurd competition for a vehicle. Justice is not resolved like a fair, nor is accountability subjected to a lottery. The alleged crimes are not imposed by the press, but by the Prosecutor's Office.
The former official should understand that journalists are not her enemies, but the channel through which society learns what happens in the corridors of power. If she has something to prove, she should do so before the competent authorities, not before microphones with a car at stake.
Meanwhile, the controversy remains open, and the public watches closely to see if the challenge ends up in court or in a mere media show.
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