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Julio 30, 2005
Telesur in Bolivia (Not Yet)
With the launch of television channel TeleSur, funded primarily by Venezuela, the reaction to it has been mixed. David wrote an excellent recap at Global Voices Online on how others around Latin America have been responding to this new media source.
As my small contribution to that entry stated, the local cable company we have used in Cochabamba had no immediate knowledge of TeleSur, when I sent them an email inquiring whether it would be added to the roster of channels.
If TeleSur does become an option for Bolivian television viewers, who will get to see it? According to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística in Bolivia, approximately 54% of Bolivian households own a television. That number is not too shabby considering the high levels of poverty in that country. There are a respectable number of local channels the one can receive using the old bunny ears.
However, TeleSur, if and when it becomes available in Bolivia, will most likely be an exclusive to the cable companies. Data from the PNUD found that only 6% households had television cable connections. Likely that number is higher due to the frequency of clandestine hookups. In addition, the cost per month for cable varies between $18-25 per month, which an exorbitant amount for many Bolivians. Due to this high cost, most that currently enjoy television cable are working, middle and upper classes in the urban centers.
So is this the audience that TeleSur is targeting? I wonder if TeleSur reports glowingly on Evo Morales, will it be those who have cable connections who would nod their heads in agreement?
Posted by eduardo at Julio 30, 2005 12:57 PM
Comments
Well said. As an addition I just read an article from the "celebrated El Diario analyst", Andres Solis Rada. In his article he (well, let me escape the critical commentary and get right to the point) basically says that TeleSur will be the voice of truth about the Latin American reality. TeleSur, an enterprise financed by Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina and Brazil, will bring objective coverage, as opposed to the biased American and European media, like AP, EFE, DPA, Reuters, etc., which all are under the influence of CNN.
Aside from the sarcasm and on to the cynicism, I wonder how much money is circulating in order for a person like Solis Rada, who is a very political person, to do a special review about TeleSur?
Posted by: Miguel at Julio 31, 2005 01:42 PM
Your missing the point of how these transnational stations work in the rest of the developing world. In most of the middle east cable reception is purchased by a bar or cafe. This creates a very powerful collective forum for viewing the media and developing wide spread public opinion. actucally far more effective than an individualized media experience.
Posted by: rjf at Agosto 8, 2005 10:09 PM