ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2011: FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN LATIN AMERICA
The third wave of democracy in Latin America began around 1978,
opening a promising era that followed different trajectories in
strengthening democratic institutions in the countries of the
region. However, since democracy’s comeback important setbacks
have occurred in the region, some directly political, others
more related to democratic life, the performance of
institutions, or the granting of crucial liberties on the part
of governments. One particular tension bringing setbacks in the
practice of Latin American democracy has to do with freedom of
the press. These shortcomings were born as a controversy between
several governments and the media companies (and journalists)
about the alleged untrustworthiness of the information being
produced for public use (and the lack of objectivity thereof),
impacting larger societal realms such as political governance
and national sovereignty. As the confrontation worsened, leading
in some cases to acute polar