Economic and political turmoil throughout Latin America in 2002 had profound implications for the region’s press. Sharp decreases in advertising revenue bankrupted many media outlets, while the failure to consolidate democratic reforms left the media vulnerable to legal and physical assault. Five journalists were killed in Latin America in 2002 for their work.
The U.S. government took aggressive measures in 2002 to shield some of its activities from press scrutiny. These steps not only reduced access for U.S. reporters but had a global ripple effect, with autocratic leaders citing U.S. government actions to justify repressive policies.
While press freedom is generally respected in Uruguay, the current economic crisis has damaged the media’s diversity and independence. Journalists also continue to struggle to obtain government information, even as lawmakers consider legislation to expand access to it.
Although Uruguay boasts one of Latin America’s most vibrant and diverse media scenes, journalists say its quality has suffered during a three-year economic recession. Many journalists have lost their jobs, while increased competition with foreign publications, a decline in Uruguayans’ buying power, and a decrease in advertising have exacerbated the crisis.
URUGUAY IS HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST VIBRANT MEDIA SCENES in the Americas, but public officials frequently pursue criminal defamation cases against journalists, while state advertising is distributed to reward media that provide favorable coverage of the government. Uruguayan journalists say that criminal defamation cases have become commonplace in the last decade. Under Article…
Journalists reported no serious incidents preventing them from covering the news, but the inequitable distribution of state advertising threatened to dampen a vigorous press. Mocaltate Agencies–the largest advertisers in Uruguay–have been accused by journalists of depriving critical media outlets of government advertising while bestowing favors on sympathetic publications. Journalists report that while the practice has…
New York, March 8, 2000 — CPJ is deeply saddened by the February 24 murder of Uruguayan journalist Julio César Da Rosa, owner and editor of the independent station Radio del Centro, by former local official Nery Colombo, who shot the journalist and then killed himself. Radio del Centro broadcasts from Baltasar Brum, an isolated…