73
The Role of Media in Improving Democratic Governance
An emblematic example of the existence of monopolies in the media and
their favoritism towards groups in power was highlighted in Mexico,
when Emilio “The Tiger” Azcárraga (1930-1997), president of
Grupo
Televisa
, the largest worldwide producer of Spanish-language television
content, declared himself a “PRI soldier” in candid acknowledgment
of his loyalty for the then-governing PRI. This resulted in a long
and lucrative relationship of mutual benefit for the magnate and
the government, which on many occasions included manipulating
news to influence public opinion on issues related to governance and
democracy.
19
Unfortunately, this business model—in which monopolies, politics
and the media become inter-related—has become a constant trend
throughout the continent.
Monopolies, however, do not just happen as a result of private initiative.
Through patronage, governments can foster the creation of media
monoliths. In Ecuador, the government has 19 media sources among
television channels, radio stations, magazines, tabloids, newspapers
and news agencies, as reported in the annual report of the organization
Fundamedios
.
20
In Nicaragua and Venezuela, in addition to an injection
of government resources into media outlets friendly to the regime and
the purchase of media sources, radio and cable television broadcasting
are suspended during presidential broadcasts on national television.
Moreover, during the 12 years of Hugo Chávez’s government there
have been more than 2,000 national broadcasts with up to eight hours
of airtime each; five government television stations have been created;
and the government controls 243 community radio stations and two
newspapers of nationwide distribution, as denounced by the president
of the Venezuelan newspaper
Tal Cual
, Teodoro Petkoff.
21
Clearly, if sources of information, opinion and debate are controlled
by one group or individual with a personal or specific agenda, these are
not likely to allow opposing voices any opportunities for expression.
Catalina Botero, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Speech of the
Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, stated the following in
