"We are not used to very strong and open public debate -- this is a country that for 70-odd years was basically debating things internally without witnesses," Fuentes-Berain said. "For some Mexicans it's better to keep your manners and not be too blatant about what you think of a person."
But for many, the institute has gone too far. "My position has been completely against the institute transforming itself into censors," said Sergio Sarmiento, a columnist and radio commentator.
Marco Gomez, a member of the institute's governing council, said the authority's intention was not to censor candidates but to ensure that voters received true information. He said the council was laboring to define the limits of free speech in a society that distrusts government and elections.
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