Russian Propagandists, Conspiracy Theorists Among Mexico’s Journalism Awardees

Russian Propagandists Receive Accolades from Mexican Journalism Club

Mexico’s Club de Periodistas, a nonprofit association based in Mexico City that claims to have “promoted journalistic excellence since 1952,” has come under scrutiny for consistently awarding its international prizes to Russian propagandists and individuals known for spreading disinformation.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the organization has presented medals and diplomas to nearly 20 media outlets funded by Vladimir Putin’s government, including entities tied to a Russian oligarch facing criminal charges in the United States.

The pattern reveals a troubling disconnect between the Club’s stated mission and its practice. While Secretary-General Celeste Sáenz de Miera has publicly declared that “lying deliberately is a communications crime,” the organization continues to honor individuals with documented histories of spreading falsehoods.

Among the controversial recipients is Jackson Hinkle, who traveled to Mexico City in November 2023 to receive the “Best International Analysis” award. Sáenz de Miera praised what she described as his “reliable and balanced information.” In reality, Hinkle is a well-known influencer who promotes Russian disinformation and maintains close ties with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Public records show Hinkle operates a California-registered company called “Fake News Media LLC,” where he lists himself as “chief propagandist.”

Hinkle’s political positioning is equally contradictory. He has described himself as a “patriot,” a “Marxist-Leninist,” a “MAGA communist,” and simultaneously claims to be pro-Russia, pro-China, and pro-fossil fuels, while also being “anti-woke” and “pro-gun.” In October 2024, he co-founded the “American Communist Party” and recently spread conspiracy theories about the killing of Charlie Kirk, baselessly accusing Israel of orchestrating the September 10, 2025 attack at the University of Utah.

Another concerning recipient is Tsargrad, a Russian propaganda outlet owned by oligarch Konstantin Malofeev. When presenting the award in 2023 for its Ukraine war coverage, Sáenz de Miera told then-Russian ambassador Viktor Koronelli, “This is your Mexican home.” Koronelli responded by suggesting that other Russian media outlets would receive similar recognition in coming years.

Malofeev, who is linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, was indicted in the United States in 2022 for allegedly attempting to illegally transfer $10 million from a Texas bank to evade U.S. sanctions. According to a 2023 report by the Council of the European Union, Tsargrad receives direct funding from the Russian government.

The Club’s pattern of honoring controversial figures extends beyond Russian state media. Past recipients include Alex Jones, founder of InfoWars, who was ordered to pay $965 million in damages after claiming the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was staged. Daniel Estulin, a former RT host awarded in 2021, has promoted climate change denial, anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, and anti-LGBTQ+ narratives.

Other recipients include Liu Sivaya, a Russian political commentator who spread the false claim that Ukraine staged the attack on a Mariupol maternity hospital, and Guillermo Rocafort, who was convicted by a Madrid court in 2024 for defaming Spanish journalist Ana Pastor. The conviction was upheld by Spain’s Supreme Court in July 2025.

When contacted, the Club’s directors claimed their contest “does not accept sponsorship of any kind” and that its evaluation methods are “transparent, autonomous and plural.” However, they did not publish or detail these methods, which are absent from the Club’s website.

Mexican journalism professionals have distanced themselves from the Club’s awards, describing them as “second-tier prizes.” The most respected journalism recognition in Mexico comes from the Citizen Council of the National Journalism Prize, which operates with transparent oversight from major Mexican universities, media associations, and foundations.

Unlike the Club de Periodistas, the National Journalism Prize publishes comprehensive information about its awards, judges, and selection process. The Council’s website lists juror information dating back to 2001, while the Club provides minimal transparency about its operations.

The situation highlights growing concerns about Russian influence operations in Latin America, with the Club potentially serving as a vehicle for legitimizing propaganda under the guise of journalism excellence.