Specyfika i ewolucja systemów medialnych państw Hispanoameryki – wybrane aspekty zagadnienia
The Specificity of Media Systems of the Hispanic America

Summary/Abstract: Hispanic America, as a region comprising some 20 Spanish-speaking countries in the Western Hemisphere, is very diverse, but at the same time has a common history (including colonial past) and contemporary problems. The foundations of creating media systems in the countries of the region were similar, although there were also some differences, ranging from the scope of freedom of speech and media (from democratic Costa Rica to communist Cuba) and ending with the percentage of citizens with access to the Internet. One of the main characteristics of the entire region – with the exception of Cuba – is the dominance of commercial media in the press, radio and television markets and a high degree of capital concentration. The presence of international media groups, both from North America and Europe, especially from Spain (eg PRISA) is also evident. On the other hand, the concept of public media is a subject of discussion among intellectuals, politicians and practitioners in this region of the world, and the solutions adopted in individual countries show a great diversity. The significant role of university media (especially in Chile) and community media is also noteworthy. There are also regional initiatives of a political nature, such as teleSUR television based in Caracas, and economic ones, such as consortia of daily newspapers (Grupo de Diarios América, Periódicos Asociados Latinoamericanos). The aim of this article is therefore both to indicate common features and connecting elements, as well as the basic differences between the media systems of the Hispanic American countries.

• Details
• Contents