In the 1970s, journalism in Latin America as a whole was in the midst of a dark age. All over that region of the world, media outlets had become tools of the various military regimes and political movements struggling for control of their respective countries.

In Chile, the 1970 democratic presidential election found Salvador Allende of the Popular Unity party in a tight political race against Christian Democrat candidate Auturo Alessandri (Protopappas, 1975). The results of the election failed to provide a candidate with a clear majority (rather, the two main opponents and a third candidate were involved in a three-way split). Thus, the contest was put to the Chilean congress, as the constitution dictated.

Allende had received 36% of the popular vote and was eventually elected, but not before the Chilean congress, which was under the control of the Christian Democrats at the time, passed a statute of democratic guarantees.

The statute was intended to create political space for all the political parties within the country. Most significantly, this statute supported the introduction of a free press system, forbidding the government from discriminating against political groups in the sale of paper, ink, machinery or any other elements involved in press operations (Buckman, 1996). All political parties were allowed to own and operate media outlets (at this time, media outlets included newspapers, magazines and radio stations).

The statute was passed three days before the congress overwhelmingly affirmed Allende as president (153 to 35) and Allende himself voted in favor of the statute, one of his last acts as a Chilean senator (Buckman, 1996).

Background

Allende's Influence on the Media Environment

Pinochet's Influence on the Media Environment

The Chilean Press Under Civilian Democracy

Reference List