Media Power in Central America (review)

Analyses of contemporary media in Central America typically range between half-full glass positions that praise the vigor of critical publications and broadcasting stations, and half-empty positions that lament the complicity between the media and powerful interests. To say that the truth lies somewhere in the middle may be cliche. To demonstrate it in a detailed and nuanced manner is actually remarkable, however. This is the major achievement of Rockwell and Janus's meritorious study. They document recent developments in each country and analyze regional trends. They make a convincing case for why the media situation in the region seems to be improving yet there are worrisome counterforces. Neither simple optimism nor excessive pessimism about the prospects of democratic media in Central America define the tone of the argument. The conditions are too complex for reducing to one or another position.

For every journalist and news organization that attempts to carve out space for criticism and autonomy, there are examples showing the not-so-hidden hand of conservative forces. Political and economic elites try to keep the media at short leash through direct ownership, advertising manipulation, and numerous open and subtle subsidies. Little, if any, degrees of separation exist between most media companies and entrenched oligarchic interests. Business and family linkages underlie the web of interests shaping the functioning of the media. Yet the situation is not exactly a predictable, uniformly collaborative relationship. Things get actually interesting when journalists and editors decide to examine the dirt swept under the carpet. Thanks to the bravery of some publishers, columnists, and reporters, citizens have been able to know about widespread power abuses and corruption in the recent past. Watchdog reporting is not entirely new. There have been some well documented cases of newspapers that waged almost quixotic fights against dominant powers, such as Nicaragua's La Prensa during the last years of the Somoza dictatorship. What is new, however, is that some journalists (particularly young reporters inspired by professional and human rights ideals), seasoned columnists, and maverick editors and publishers have circumstantially unrobed the emperors. In publishing news about corruption and wrongdoing inside governments, corporations, and secutiry forces, they have shaken off the conventional timidity of the media.

One is left wondering what motivations lie behind today's critical journalism. Why is it that some publishers and journalists would prefer to take the risk of alienating powers? Is it because of publishers with partisan interests different from the ruling president? Is it due to media having different economic agendas, or perhaps journalists in quest of a new professional identity? Or is it a combination of factors? What circumstantial factors need to come together for investigative reporting to arise? Rockwell and Janus do not provide a definitive answer to these questions, but provide plenty of data to draw plausible conclusions. The chapter on corruption in the media is one of the strongest. The authors carefully document what fills newsrooms' grapevine about bribe-taking, favor-trading journalists. Because the subject is difficult for journalists to discuss openly (and on the record), it is necessary to find ways to understand the ethical dilemmas that reporters regularly face. Likewise, the chapter on anti-press violence warns about an extended yet understudied problem: any journalist who opts to criticize established powers is likely to be the target of violence. Even when the trappings of liberal democracy are in place, a remarkable feat in a region with a long history of military dictatorships, reporters who dare to trespass the elite-defined limits of acceptable coverage may suffer the fury of politicians, businessmen, drug traffickers, the military and police officers. It is not only individual journalists and news organizations that suffer attacks, but also the press and citizens in general. Anti-press violence has ripple effects that discourage other critical voices from coming forward. For everyone who is the target of attacks, others recoil from practicing critical reporting.

Rockwell and Janus have first-hand, impressive knowledge of the region...