Mexican federal deputy Armando Corona Arvizu, member of the ruling Morena Party under President Claudia Sheinbaum, has introduced legislation that would penalize anyone who produces or circulates memes, stickers, gifs, or edited videos that could “affect the reputation” or “damage the dignity” of public officials.
Key points:
- Mexican deputy Armando Corona Arvizu of the ruling Morena Party proposed the “Anti-Meme Law,” targeting memes, gifs, stickers, and edited videos that could “affect the reputation” or “damage the dignity” of public officials.
- The draft legislation includes prison terms of three to six years and fines up to 600 days of minimum wage, with penalties increasing by 50% if the target is a public official.
- Critics warn the law’s vague language could suppress satire, parody, and political dissent, sparking widespread debate over online freedom of expression in Mexico.
Local media reports indicate that the proposal, widely referred to on social media as the “Anti-Meme Law” or “Anti-Sticker Law,” aims to amend the Federal Penal Code by introducing Articles 211 Bis 8 and 211 Bis 9. Under the draft legislation, individuals who create or share prohibited content could face prison terms ranging from three to six years and fines of up to 600 days of minimum wage. Penalties could rise by as much as 50% if the targeted individual is a public official performing their official duties.
The legislation specifically focuses on content produced with artificial intelligence or digital editing tools, encompassing videos, audio clips, and images.
Corona Arvizu stated that the “Anti-Meme Law” aims to address digital violence and cyberbullying, particularly targeting women, minors, and other vulnerable groups. He referenced data from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI), which reported that more than 18.9 million Mexicans experienced online harassment in 2024, with memes and stickers frequently used as instruments of abuse.
Critics of the legislation caution that its ambiguous language could be used to target satire, parody, and political dissent, raising concerns that it may create a chilling effect on freedom of expression.
In an ironic twist, reports of the proposed “Anti-Meme Law” have triggered a surge of memes and edited images on social media, including numerous edited photos of President Sheinbaum.
Others have noted that the legislation comes solely from a single Morena Party lawmaker and remains only a proposed bill at this stage.
As the debate continues, legal experts and civil society organizations are closely watching how lawmakers handle the “Anti-Meme Law”, emphasizing the balance between protecting individuals from online harassment and safeguarding freedom of expression. Public reaction online suggests the discussion over digital boundaries and accountability in Mexico is just beginning, with broader implications for how social media content may be regulated in the future.
Over time, memes have emerged as a widely recognized form of communication across online communities, particularly within the cryptocurrency sector. In this space, memes serve not only as a playful means of expression but have also become an integral part of crypto culture, with the creation and popularity of several tokens directly inspired by meme trends.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.