Who decides what news reaches our eyes and ears? This question is at the heart of an ongoing global battle with consequences that shape our lives. Ever since Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized communication with the printing press, the power to spread ideas has shifted the fate of nations. Every choice about what stories are told—or hidden—helps define our society, our freedoms, and our future.
In 1970, Latin America stood at a crossroads. In Cuba, the press became a mouthpiece for the state; in Brazil, military censors erased inconvenient truths; in Peru, independent voices were silenced as newspapers and TV stations fell under government control; and in Argentina, fear and intimidation forced publishers into silence. Even in Uruguay and Mexico, democracy was shadowed by subtle government influence over the news.
But in the face of censorship and intimidation, journalists in Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico refused to back down. They took risks to keep the public informed, navigating pressure from both officials and other powerful interests. Their resilience, passion, and daily victories are a testament to the enduring fight for truth and independence. Discover their stories in “Journalists in Action”—and witness how the dedication of a few can inspire hope for many.
This episode of Enfoque: Las Americas follows journalists across Latin America who, despite censorship and intimidation, worked to keep the public informed—revealing how their commitment to truth helped shape the region amid a period of profound change.
Credits for “Journalists in Action” can be accessed here.
To watch the film with English subtitles, click the CC button on the YouTube video, then go to Settings (gear icon) → Subtitles/CC → Auto-translate → English.
PARTICIPANTS:
Venezuela:
President Rafael Caldera of Venezeula, interview, “Dialogo Con el Pueblo”
Pedro Leon Zapata, Caricaturista
Miguel Angel Capriles, President of Capriles Newspaper Chain.
Esteban Rey, editor of the newspaper La Republica
Sofia Meneses, hostess of the Buenos Dias TV program.
Reinaldo Herrera Guevara, host of the Buenos Dias TV program.
Arturo Uslar Pietri, guest on the Buenos Dias TV program.
Chile:
Agustin Edwards, President of the Interamerican Press Association (SIP) and owner of the El Mercurio newspaper.
Mexico
Rodolfo Junco de la Vega Jr., editor of El Norte El Sol
Colombia
Enrique Santos Calderon, El Tiempo reporter
El Espectador newsroom,
Radio Caracol and its newscast Contrapunto. Producer Jaime Soto.
Roberto García Peña, Director of El Tiempo
Crawl
Enfoque: Las Americas gratefully acknowledges the willing collaboration of the editors and journalists who made this report possible, including those who, for circumstances beyond their control, asked to be excluded.
Probably, my favorite Enfoque: Las Américas. Great writing, great editing, incredible production value and personally, so many wonderful memories.