Indeed, many journalists think of this practice as a legal way to increase their income. No existing law prohibits it. It is legal, but it is not legitimate. Officials promote and support this practice because they are better able to control the information. Political ads are not the only way to enforce censorship.
Officials favor benefits for journalists.
Kickbacks are usually delivered to journalists in closed envelopes. Those kickbacks may be given on a monthly basis for a reporter covering a beat, or in trips made by Mexican officials. A presidential spokesman used to boast that his office had cut off that practice and no longer gave money to journalists. He was right only technically. For the Presidential Press Office staffers still ask top politicians to give money to the journalists accompanying the President wherever he goes.