Chilean News Media

This semester has been filled with story after story of uprisings, revolts,and disasters. It has been a lot of information to digest.  It seemed that everyday something new was happening in a different country.  Chile has not been a part of any turmoil in the recent months.  The news that I have been keeping track of all semester has been much more mellow, that of a country striving to expand and prosper. Maybe that is due to the fact that Chile has already had their times of military coups and dictatorships.  News has reflected their attempts to expand their free trade agreements, make advancements in nuclear energy, and promote freedom of press. 

Chile is currently considered to be a free press country and this is definitely reflected in their media. In 2010, Freedom press index had them rated at 33 out of 178 countries for their level of freedom in regards to their media, a whole 7 places higher than in 2009.  Chile is working to maintain their constitution's decree of freedom of speech and media which allows them to report on controversial issues and government policies without repercussions from any political officials. 

This strive for open press was made apparent when in 2010 they became the first country to pass a law on net- neutrality.  This law states that no ISP can block, interfere, or censor any user from sending, viewing, or using any legitimate sources on the Internet.  It also includes a clause that prohibits governmental control over the Internet.  As of March 22, 2011 they remain they only country to do so.

Although the country has freedom of press, the press is still limited in ownership.  Chile has what is considered a duopoly.  Two major conglomerates own the majority of the newspapers and magazines distributed in Chile.  Which leaves me wondering if the government isn't using the media to promote their agendas and to control the country, are the conglomerates?? Time will tell that tale and as discussed in class media conglomeration has it's positives and its negatives attributes to be expected.

But overall Chile seems to be on the right track.  Through their many efforts to expand economically, commercially, and globally it seems inevitable that they will continue to remain one of the most stable countries in Latin America and even pull ahead from them all.