Tunstall, Thussu & UNESCO on Nicaragua and Central America

1. Summary and analysis of findings:

Between 1950’s and 1990’s the United States lost control of the international news agenda in Central America, they relied on Europeans for foreign news. However, the United States dominated Central America’s economy, politics and media beginning in the 1950’s. Early television systems in Central America were dependent on U.S. programming. The CIA would use state department tactics of ‘plausible deniability’ to trick Central American journalists. The strongest medium, in poorer countries like Nicaragua, was the radio; mountains prevented television and newspapers. The United States knew this and financed legal and illegal radio stations across Central America. The pinnacle of radio propaganda occurred in Nicaragua on behalf of the Contras who were supported by the U.S. (and President Reagan) to aid in democracy and media manipulation. In the 1980’s, America’s policy at home reflected in Nicaragua as well, with Cold War and inter-agency policies, especially during their civil war. When the Somoza Garcia dynasty, which ruled Nicaragua (1937-1979), collapsed, the Sandinistas (Marxists) moved to the left while the rebels (Contras) were the political right. The assassination of Pedro Chamorro, owner of the leading newspaper La Presena, in 1978, led to the Sandinistas' uprising. Reporting in war zones caused the fatalities of many journalists, so news agencies relied on U.S. embassies and the CIA for their information. This information was often faulty. By 1990, peace returned to Central America, and the growing trend of privatization in telecommunications brought in foreign investment. And, furthermore, the spread of democracy continued giving greater freedoms each day.




2. Important Media attributes for Nicaragua and Central America relevant to Media and Global Communications:


-Theories of Globalization: Dependency theory/Cultural Imperialism
-Propaganda and Public Diplomacy: The Contras (U.S. funded) Vs. Sandinistas (Communist)
-U.S. involvement in Central America, CIA
-Radio and Broadcasting and National Media Systems
-Poorer nations and Globalization


As the effects of globalization impact Nicaragua and Central America, these countries are starting to be new and upcoming contributors to the world. The region has been heavily influenced by European and American influences, especially during the Cold War. The United States, in particular, used cultural imperialism to pressure social institutions in Central America and promote values like democracy. In their initial stages, mediums of media, such as radio and television, were heavily dependent on the United States, but in later stages, they grew less dependent. For instance, the CIA used propaganda and inter-agency policies with the Contras to spread democracy, manipulate the masses and defeat the Communist Sandinistas. Black radio stations supplied information and disinformation from inside the country. Especially in poorer nations, new forms of technology, including television, were highly dependent on the U.S. programming, and support as well. Even though Nicaragua and other Central American citizens have the right to express their ideas freely in public or in private, this freedom does not always apply to the media, where there are other rules and regulations that hinder the freedom of the press. Press censorship, especially in the 1970’s, was very common, even with the newspaper La Presena, which used to be funded by the United States. As a whole, journalism in Central America tends to mimic the United States or European style. Central America has not been able to reap the full benefits of Globalization but it is beginning to benefit with privatization and advancements in telecommunications.




3. Attributes I personally find surprising and worthy of further study:


-CIA/United States involvement and illegal actions in Nicaragua, Central America
-Cold War influence on Central America
-Nicaragua’s influence on the rest of the world, Globalization
-The role and influence of missionaries in Central America


It would be interesting to do research into the legal and illegal actions of the CIA in Central America, such as black radio, assassination, and bribery. Examples include the CIA's involvement in the Bay of Pigs in Cuba, and the campaigns in Guatemala, marine invasions and military training which sometimes resulted in coups. Also interesting would be more information about what exactly the United States' motives and targets were, like the spread of democracy, North American control or bestowing American values and culture, and how they influenced and took control of the media and politics within certain Central American countries like Nicaragua. Research into why the U.S. deemed Nicaragua so important in the battle against communism. Now that democracy, for the most part, has triumphed, how are the countries doing compared to pre-Cold War influence? (Nicaragua is a third world country with little opportunity for most of their people.) It would be good to understand how are they influencing other parts of the world with their economy (trade, exportation), media (cultural influences) and political power. Plus, how has globalization affected the poorer nations and how can they take advantage of it, rather than suffer in the wake of the richer, more elite countries? And lastly, what was the role of missionaries who were known for aiding the people by pointing out corruption in government during various dictatorships across Central America? The religious press was more informed than the U.S. or Central American media, or at least less influenced.

Nicaragua, Central America

Nicaragua is a third-world country in Central America between Honduras and Costa Rica, it is also one of the poorest on the Western Hemisphere. I sought after researching more into the media of the country because I have gone down there twice and co-planned trips with the non-profit organization, Friends of Students for 60,000. Together we aided communities by building homes, providing economic and structural aid and supplies, and met with local community leaders, educators and students at Leon University and rural Nicaragua. I am interested to know more about the media, how it shaped the country politically and economically to its current state. And how the media differs from countries that are wealthy to third world status. I also want to investigate into the role of foreign influences and their use of their own media and Nicaragua media to shape public perception.

Despite, Nicaragua relying heavily on international aid to survive and half the population remaining below the poverty line, media still plays an intricate role in public perception. Most Nicaraguans cannot afford to send their kids to college and the illiteracy rate is still relatively high for adults. In poor rural areas the existence of media is not as prominent as in the urban setting but most communities have at least one television or a radio to tune into if they cannot afford a newspaper or computer with Internet access. So for most people their main form of education, news or awareness of their country/world is either from word of mouth, television, or radio. That gives the media huge power for manipulation and control over the country
and the minds that inhabit it.

Furthermore, Nicaraguan and United States politicians have been known to control the media and use it as a tool to promote their political friends or to defame their enemies in governmental advertisements. The United States under Reagan had a role in the country’s media; they stationed U.S. marines and used the media to promote democracy throughout the country against the communist supported Sandinista. A power struggle occurred to take control of the reigns of media and to dominate public opinion.

Most people leave Nicaragua after college (if they can afford) and go to either Costa Rica or Honduras hunting for jobs. Foreign countries for the most part financially support Nicaragua’s media and helped assist it in restructuring it. Which brings fright to Nicaraguans that their media is being transformed from their traditional ways to a more United States or European style. Nicaragua media jobs also don’t pay very well and are prone to corruption from outside influences or threats. However the country has tremendous potential as a future and current media hub in swaying the views of Latin and Central America and its own people.

Links: http://www.pressreference.com/Ma-No/Nicaragua.html

Lecture 4 Summary (Family), Runaway World by Anthony Giddens

The lecture points light at family values and relationships and how they are rapidly changing on a global scale. Some countries don’t debate about sexual equality, the regulation of sexuality and the future of family because their authoritarian governments repress them. In the past many countries declared women were property of their husbands or fathers and children weren’t recognized as individuals but respected for their economic contribution. Now people have higher standards of how to nurture and protect a child but pose a risk of being a financial burden rather than a benefit. Contraception was also non-existent making sex result in childbirth and sexual promiscuity was linked with masculinity and defaming of a women’s reputation.

Homosexuality has been tolerated or openly approved of more than it has been outlawed despite the West who looks down upon it. Sexuality as a whole however is no longer dominated by heterosexuality. Gays have explored new dynamics of relations and show many parallels in regards to heterosexual relationships.

In the past, the world use to follow an economic model of family, resulting in marriages arranged by parents for economic benefits. But by the late 19th century the economic contract has been replaced with the idea of romantic love. However, now only few people follow a traditional family model. It is hard to find both parents living together especially with children from the marriage, with the woman as full-time housewife and husband as a breadwinner. Even one-third of births are happening out of wedlock leading to potentially dysfunctional families. Furthermore, people living alone and women who declare they have no intention of having children also continues to increase despite marriage still remaining popular. The essence of marriage is changing from about marriage and the family to coupling, uncoupling and stability/commitment.

The lecture lastly links a good relationship to a democracy. An wonderful relationship consists of equals (rights and obligations), communication, trust, emotional connection and commitment. Both parties should want what is best for each other while understand the others point of view. Nothing should be hidden; no violence or force should be used. Children should be disciplined but able to answer back. As well, sexual equality is also crucial to happiness and fulfillment. This way, quality of life will be improved. Unfortunately, the new transformation of family may seem problematic but most people don’t want to go back to the traditional style of family.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/events/reith_99/week4/week4.htm

Lecture 1 Summary (Globalization), Runaway World by Anthony Giddens

The article goes into depth to argue the world is connected through a global order and we all now live in one world rather than individual nations. Globalization is a heated topic with two sides: the radicals and the skeptics. The radicals believe globalization can be seen everywhere, the global marketplace is growing each year and it only is ignoring national borders. And they believe nations have lost their capability to influence events – the era of the nation state is over. On the other hand, the skeptics undermine globalization, stating that the world has been carrying on just like it has for years, and there just is more contact between regions than worldwide. They basically make globalization sound as an ideology put up by ‘free-marketers’ to destroy welfare systems and eliminate state expenditure.

The lecture declares that while both the skeptics and radicals may both be partly right they still focus too much on economics. There is a political, technological and cultural aspect as well. World trade is at its highest due to having an electronic global economy where money can be transferred across the world all on a computer. There also is instantaneous communication to the entire world with the help of satellite technology. And local impact as well, people debate on issues such as family value or women equality.

Furthermore, globalization explains the end of the Soviet Union. State run enterprises couldn’t compete or block out their competitors. Even on a business scale, there are international chains and multinational companies all over the place. However, as pointed out, globalization is becoming untamable and lots of poorer nations aren’t reaping the benefits compared to large nations such as the United States or China. And we are entering a new age, a ‘global cosmopolitan society’ with economic, technological and cultural imperatives’ that we have to find away to embrace.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/events/reith_99/week1/week1.htm