Estrategias gubernamentales ante los medios bajo las dos primeras presidencias kirchneristas y las dos presidencias de Lula

PHILIP KITZBERGER

San Pablo

Conferencia; Mídia, Política e Democracia: Agendas de pesquisa - Brasil, Argentina e Portugal (USP / PUC-SP).; 2014

Universidade de Sao Paulo / Pontificia Universidade Catolica (SP)

This paper examines the determinants of government strategies vis‐à‐vis dominant media actors in the Latin American context, where the media?s role in democratic politics is increasingly being questioned. It compares the first two Kirchnerist presidencies in Argentina with the first two Workers? Party‐led governments in Brazil. While these governments initially adopted accommodation strategies towards media organisations, political crises subsequently disturbed the fragile coexistence of media and government, triggering divergent strategic responses that require explanation. Using accounts relying on ideological preferences, the study establishes the importance of environmental factors and critical junctures as determinants of governments? strategic options. Significant differences in the institutional configurations and articulations of media interests in the two countries are found to be relevant. However, the study shows that such constraints do not tell the whole story. Consequently, the analysis also focuses on how certain junctures affect government perceptions of media power and, in turn, inform governments? strategic stances.