Overview

María Elena Meneses Rocha (1 December 1961 – 14 May 2018) was a Mexican journalist, professor and researcher who studied the changing relationship between media, communications and the Internet. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, she spent much of her professional life based in Mexico City, where she combined academic work with public commentary and outreach.

During her early career she worked in broadcast journalism and related media roles, including a period with Univision. Later she joined the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (Tec de Monterrey) as a professor and researcher, focusing on how digital technologies transform news production, distribution and consumption.

Research interests and contributions

Meneses Rocha explored the intersection of journalism practice and scholarly analysis. Her research and teaching addressed topics such as digital journalism, social networks and information ecosystems, media literacy, and the social effects of new communication technologies. She presented findings at conferences and participated in public debates that sought to connect academic insight with the needs of practitioners and policy makers.

  • Digital journalism: changes in newsroom routines, verification and audience engagement.
  • Social media and networks: how platforms shape public conversation and information flow.
  • Media literacy and education: training journalists and informing citizens about media use.

Her work was notable for bridging the practical concerns of working journalists with methodical academic research. She supervised students, collaborated on interdisciplinary projects, and contributed to the broader understanding of how the Internet reshapes public information environments.

María Elena Meneses Rocha died in Mexico City on 14 May 2018 at age 56 from complications following surgery related to her medical treatment. Her early career includes work with Univision, and her origins in Monterrey, Mexico remain part of her professional identity.

Legacy: she is remembered for mentoring new journalists and researchers, and for helping Mexican and Latin American audiences and institutions understand the implications of digital media for journalism, policy and civic life.