Andres Oppenheimer
It's hard to believe that this would happen today in a largely democratic region, but the beginning of 2012 finds much of
Like never before in recent history, elected presidents who already control their congresses and judicial systems are trying to silence independent media. If they succeed, as they seem to be doing, they will have a de facto license to steal -- both money and elections -- without any effective legislative or media scrutiny.
Consider some of the latest attacks on independent media over the past few weeks:
- In
A few months earlier, a writer and three executives of the daily El Universo had been sentenced to three years in prison and
In May, Correa held a
- In
The law will regulate
The latest measures comes after the Fernández government has silenced criticism in most media outlets through a combination of selective distribution of official advertising funds, takeovers by government cronies and tax investigations into those who don't toe the government line.
- In
- In
- At the
Commenting on these and other recent measures against independent media, the
My opinion: Barring a strong international and domestic reaction, a growing number of Latin American countries will soon look like
There, Chávez tolerates critical opinions in newspapers' editorial pages -- which are read by very few and which the government can showcase as alleged evidence that it respects freedom of the press -- but the government cracks down on newspapers that publish investigative reports about government corruption or other wrongdoings in their front pages.
I hope I'm wrong about this, but I'm afraid that journalists in growing numbers of countries will be allowed to opine, but they won't have much to opine about.
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- Venezuela's Embarrassment
- Romney's Big Problem: Hispanic Voters
- American Border Law Enforcement Uses More Military Equipment
- 2012 Anything But Boring in the Americas
- Latin America Still Growing, But Economic Fiesta Is Over
- Latin America May Split into Pacific and Atlantic Blocs
- Cuba Asking Advice from IMF? Don't Laugh
- Mexico's Drug Cartels are no 'Terrorist Insurgency'
- Canada and The Kyoto Protocol: Who Says Quitters Never Win?
- Democratic Speed Bumps in Latin America
- Argentina: Lessons of Default
- Latin America is Beating Poverty -- Sort Of
- Brazil and Colombia: An Unexpected Alliance
- China and the End of the Monroe Doctrine
- Major Economies Headed for Slowdown
- Is the National Security Complex Too Big to Fail?
- A Call for an Enlightened Foreign Policy toward Latin America
- The Inequality Behind Chile's Prosperity
- The Mexican Drug Cartel Threat in Central America
- FARC Leader Killed in Colombia
- Helping Cuban Reforms through Agricultural Trade
- A 'Major Win' for Panamanian Corruption
- Mexico Seeks to Extradite Americans Linked to 'Operation Fast And Furious'
- Latin American Politicians Renew Suggestions to Legalize Drugs
- Never-Ending Drug War Moves to Central America
- Venezuela Among World Leaders in Red Tape
- OAS Makes Bad 'Error' in Nicaragua
- Condoleezza Rice Book Shows 'Inattention' to Latin America
- Anonymous vs. Zetas Amid Mexico's Cartel Violence
- Child Poverty and Access to Education: Hidden Costs on the Hispanic Community
- Rafael Correa Remains the Strongest Leader in Ecuador, but his Influence is Waning
- Brazil's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Panamanian Corruption Spreads to Land Holdings and Prominent Politicians
- Cuban Economic Reform Allows Private Home Sales
- Cuba's Communist Party Condemns U.S. Immigration Policy
- Submarine Near Venezuela Prompts Accusations Against United States
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