Nancy Conroy is a resident of Ensenada and the editor for the very well known Gringo Gazette Newspaper that circulates over fifteen thousand copy's every two weeks in northern baja California.
Ensenada.com: First I would like to say thanks for taking time to do this interview from deadlines and schedules. Tell us, how did you get started in publishing the Gringo Gazette, and how long has you newspaper been in distribution?
Nancy: The paper has been in circulation for five years, covering the Rosarito and Ensenada areas. Prior to launching the paper, I was an attorney and a real estate broker in California. I also previously worked on two separate occasions in Yucatan, Mexico, at the Secretariat of Economic Development. I am one of the few Americans in Mexico that has ever actually worked inside the Mexican government. At that time, we were promoting import/export, maquiladoras and NAFTA projects to American investors. I have seen the issues that people have trying to live and invest in this country, and I have made most of the common mistakes myself. This background allows me to report accurately about Mexican issues.
Ensenada.com: The Gringo Gazette is distributed in northern and southern Baja California. What is the connection between the two newspapers and do they correspond with each other?
Nancy: Originally, the two papers were affiliated, but now they no longer have any relationship with each other.
Ensenada.com: The Gringo Gazette North has doubled in size in the past few years from twelve pages to twenty four pages.
What do you believe is the reason for the rapid growth and popularity?
Nancy: It is because of our quality investigative articles. We do frequent exposes on real estate fraud, which is an important issue to Americans. Also, we tell the plain unvarnished truth about police harassment, corruption, cultural issues, etc., and we don’t do tourist fluff. Our readers are loyal and they appreciate hearing the truth and the American perspective. Mexico is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists to operate.
Ensenada.com: There has been articles written about you being in some petty hot water in regards to critical Real Estate articles published in your newspaper,
However, Real Estate company's are big advertizers in your paper. Why do you think that is?
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Nancy: The advertisers know that the newspaper has a wide readership, and that we make a serious effort to find and present the truth. Even if they don’t agree with
everything I print, many developers respect our work anyway. I am constantly threatened and harassed by people who say they are going to run me out of business, arrest me, deport me, etc. These very vocal critics try to pretend that everyone agrees with them, but that is simply not true. Most people support a free press that plays a watchdog role.
Ensenada.com: The Gringo Gazette is primarily circulated in the tourist areas of northern Baja which would seem to target tourism, however,
many of the front page articles address some pretty hard hitting issues that would scare some tourist away. Do you believe tourism is taking a hit
by informing vacationers the dark side Baja?
Nancy: This is a common critique of my paper. I don’t believe in suppressing the truth for any reason.
It is my responsibility to inform people and warn them about issues that might affect them. It is not the fault of the press that problems
like fraud, corruption and violence exist in Baja. Blaming the Gringo Gazette is childish, but unfortunately it is very common.
I think that tourists actually feel safer knowing that a real newspaper exists that will stand up for them.
Ensenada.com: How many people are involved on the publishing end to make your schedules happen?
Nancy: We have a team of very talented and dedicated writers that do an excellent job at keeping the public informed. We also have administrative personnel and support people. When the paper first started, I did everything myself. Not anymore!
Ensenada.com: With bi-weekly deadlines, do you ever get time off to travel?
Nancy: Things are not as hectic now as they used to be, so I am more relaxed now. I have been doing
plenty of swimming lately, and I hope to visit San Felipe soon.
Ensenada.com: Whats next for Nancy Conroy?
Nancy: I am planning a lobbying campaign to publicize and find solutions to the problem of
Mexican real estate fraud. I think this issue should be on the agenda for the new North American Union. I am available as a
speaker or commentator on Mexican related topics.
Thank you for this interview!
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