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Such an ambitious undertaking could have faltered,
but the author weaves together the anecdotal experiences and
analysis of news stories from throughout the region. This provides
a unique and valuable perspective of what is taking place within
the region.
For readers interested in this topic, please also consult
the recent online
conversation with the author.
Brazilian reporters often mention Folha de Sao
Paulo columnist Janio Freita's expose about kickbacks in the
building of a major railroad system in Rio de Janeiro as the
first major journalistic investigation in the post-authoritarian
era.... Freitas was informed that the public bidding for the
selection of the companies would be manipulated. Instead of
denouncing it before the decision was made, Freitas decided
to publish a classified ad with coded information. When the
names of the companies were later announced, Folha proved that
the results were already known.
Contemporary South America demonstrates that
there is a gap between the promise and the reality of political
democracy. Democracy does not inevitably bring optimal conditions
for journalism. It is estimated that 116 journalists have been
murdered in the region between 1985 and 1995.
Muckraking does not eliminate corruption but
raises awareness about its existence. It does not create accountability
but adds efforts to a more vigilant society.
The import of U.S. journalism was half-hearted.
Its ascendancy was visible in the rhetoric of publishers more
than in actual practices and content. Notwithstanding its growing
influence, the U.S. model did not become fully incorporated
into the South American press. None of the crucial developments
that facilitated the rise of a market-based press in the United
States existed in South America.
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