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Mexican Celebrities Face Fines For Election Tweets

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And south of the border, there's a scandal that erupted on Twitter. Mexican celebrities are facing a backlash over expressing support on social media for the country's Green Party in last week's national election. NPR's Carrie Kahn has the story in a little more than 140 characters.

CARRIE KAHN, BYLINE: Mexico strictly forbids campaigning in the days before an election. But last Sunday, some of Mexico's best-known TV stars, singers and sports greats tweeted their support for the Greens. One prominent sports commentator says he was offered nearly $13,000 for favorable posts. The beloved coach of Mexico's national soccer team and two star players now face $9,000 fines. That's little compared to the nearly $20 million in fines the Green Party has been slapped with this election season. It all may have been worth it. The party won 7 percent of the national vote, the highest ever for Mexico's Greens. Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Mexico City. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Carrie Kahn is NPR's International Correspondent based in Mexico City, Mexico. She covers Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Kahn's reports can be heard on NPR's award-winning news programs including All Things Considered, Morning Edition and Weekend Edition, and on NPR.org.