Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

State of the media

In Latin America the state of the media leaves much to be desired. Quality of media outlets is low; freedom of the press is not firmly guaranteed. In several countries media reporting on political issues is seriously coloured, biased or lacking.

In Nicaragua, the polarization between government and the opposition is clearly reflected in the media. Certain media fiercely oppose the governmental agenda and have strong complaints about the lack of information on the government’s policies and other politically-related information. In Ecuador, Rafael Correa’s presidency has been marked by an ongoing battle between him and certain media, with harsh rhetoric from both sides. In Bolivia and Ecuador doubts have been raised about the role of the media in the all-important constitutional process.

These problems have serious consequences for the state of democracy in each country, and in particular for the political accountability of the state towards its citizens. That is why NIMD’s Media and Politics Programme aims to improve the relationship between politics and media.
 

NIMD Programme

To improve mutual relations between media and politicians, NIMD has organized several national activities as well as activities for the Latin American region. Access to information and the polarized constitutional reform processes in Bolivia and Ecuador were key issues on the agenda.

These meetings, in which representatives from the media, political parties and civil society participated, have resulted in a reform agenda, which is being promoted in the respective countries. The participants have jointly declared the importance of securing freedom of speech, as well as the need for qualitative political communication, legislation on access to public information and a safe working environment for the media.

With the support of NIMD’s programmes in Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Nicaragua, partnerships were made with the media to inform the public about political agendas and public policies.

Media and politicians join hands to improve mutual relations

In February a series of seminars on media and politics in the Andean region was concluded with a closing seminar in Colombia. A diverse group of participants discussed the situation in their home countries and exchanged views and experiences, building on the earlier encounters. A joint common agenda for reform was drafted with recommendations and guidelines to improve relations between the media and politicians. In July a similar conference series for the Central American region was started in Nicaragua.