The Rise of the Unqualified Journalist in Eagle Pass Just In Time For City Elections

In Eagle Pass and Maverick County, a troubling trend has emerged just in time for one of the most consequential elections in recent memory. Self-proclaimed “journalists” are surfacing with little to no background in journalism, minimal understanding of our border politics, and no established credibility within the community. The timing of their emergence is no coincidence and the consequences could be devastating.

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Who are these individuals, and why are they suddenly interested in covering local politics? Are they genuinely interested in holding leaders accountable, or are they simply filling a void for political gain? These questions demand answers.

One such individual, lacking any real-world reporting experience or history of community engagement, has started publishing content created primarily through artificial intelligence tools. There’s no fieldwork. No sourcing. No investigative rigor. Just copy-pasted quotes, polished AI blurbs, and conveniently crafted narratives designed not to reveal truth, but to protect certain political candidates. Most notably a sitting councilwoman now running for mayor.

Why would someone with no journalistic credentials be so invested in covering up a candidate’s voting record? What motivates the effort to bury the facts of her time on city council, including votes that raised questions about transparency and accountability? Is it a genuine misunderstanding of local issues, or something more calculated?

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Some speculate that the so-called journalist is angling for more than a byline. Rumors have surfaced of backdoor promises and potential job offers should the councilwoman secure the mayor’s seat. If true, this is not journalism. It is propaganda. It is media manipulation in exchange for personal gain.

And it is dangerous.

Eagle Pass is a unique place. Politics here are complicated. Families are tied to institutions. Alliances stretch across decades. Reporting on this landscape requires more than a keyboard and Wi-Fi. It requires context. It demands a journalist who knows the histories, the relationships, and the real people who live with the consequences of city council decisions.

So what happens when voters consume news from someone who doesn’t know what questions to ask? What happens when local issues are framed by someone who can’t tell the difference between campaign spin and legislative action?

It creates an illusion of transparency while blinding the public from what’s really happening.

It is essential that voters ask themselves…. Who is delivering the news, and what do they stand to gain? Are you reading journalism, or a carefully orchestrated endorsement disguised as reporting?

In a time when trust in institutions is low and political stakes are high, we cannot afford to leave the truth in the hands of the inexperienced. Eagle Pass deserves better.

So before you share that article or believe that polished post, ask: Who wrote it? Why now? And who really benefits?

Because journalism should shine light, not cast shadows.

This opinion article represents the views of The Maverick Times Editorial Board and is intended to encourage critical thinking about the role of media in our local elections.

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