Americas Quarterly on Press Freedom in the Americas Released

Media in the Americas: Threats to Free Speech

How can we preserve freedom of expression in the Americas, and what are the hemisphere’s greatest threats to a free and independent press? The Fall 2013 issue of AQ, to be released October 29, will explore violence against journalists, media concentration, the challenges posed by new media legislation, and government suppression of critics and whistleblowers. With articles by award-winning journalists and freedom of expression advocates across the hemisphere, the new AQ takes a close look at the biggest obstacles facing those who risk their lives to keep the public informed.

Access the new issue of AQ here.

In the issue, Santiago Canton—the first OAS Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and current director of RFK Partners for Human Rights—describes how the office continues its 15-year effort to protect journalists, human rights and democracy. Brazilian journalist Mauri König details the surge of violence against journalists in Brazil. Plus, journalists Alfredo Corchado, Carlos Dada, Michèle Montas-Dominique, Tim Padgett, and Jorge Ramos—all winners of Maria Moors Cabot gold medal prizes for journalism—offer their insights about the future of journalism in the Americas.

Finally, read in-depth articles on sustainable energy access for the poor, Brazil’s new brand of democracy promotion in the hemisphere, Venezuela’s electricity deficit, and the chances that negotiations between the Colombian government and the FARC will bring peace.

Read the table of contents and check out the AQ app. Subscribe now to take advantage of our special limited-time discount.

In This Issue:

FEATURE SECTION

Journalists Speak Out
CARLOS DADA, JORGE RAMOS, RICHARDO UCEDA, TIM PADGETT, MICHЀLE MONTAS-DOMINIQUE AND ALFREDO CORCHADO
Past winners of the Maria Moors Cabot Gold Medal assess the future of journalism in the region.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do
SILVIO WAISBORD
Tackling Latin America’s media empires is critical for the health of democracies.

Missed Opportunity
MARTÍN BECERRA AND GUILLERMO MASTRINI
Argentina’s 2009 media reforms.

Protecting Truth from Power
SANTIAGO A. CANTON
The OAS Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression remains a target for autocratic governments.

Squeeze Play
KEVIN GOLDBERG
How the U.S. government is cracking down on whistleblowers.

Impunity and the Multiple Facets of Violence in Brazil
MAURI KÖNIG
This year’s protests have worsened the climate of hostility toward the media.

Journalism in Post-Coup Honduras
CARLOS LAURÍA AND SARA RAFSKY
The region’s murder capital is also one of the world’s most dangerous places for journalists.

CHARTICLE: The Perils of Journalism
In too many countries, journalists risk their lives to speak truth to power.

ASK THE EXPERTS
How have the consolidation of international media outlets, budget cuts and the Internet changed journalism? Sam Quiñones, Cristina Manzano, Andres Schipani, and Sibylla Brodzinsky respond.

AQ UPFRONT

Sustainable Energy Access for the Poor
SAM MENDELSON
The energy dimension of the poverty trap.

Is Brazil the New Regional Champion of Democracy?
OLIVER STUENKEL
Don’t confuse Brasília’s stepped-up profile with U.S.-style democracy promotion.

Venezuela’s Energy Deficit
CÉSAR BATIZ
When will the lights come back on?

DEPARTMENTS

Dispatches from the Field: Bolivia’s most politically influential city, El Alto, remains restless.

Panorama: Celebrating Germany in Brazil, Dominica hosts the World Creole Festival, tackling Mexico City’s traffic jams, 10 Things To Do in Antigua, and more.

Hard Talk: Will the negotiations between the government and the FARC bring lasting peace to Colombia? Aldo Civico and Alfredo Rangel debate.

Innovators: María Rachid battles for transgender rights in Argentina. Lenddo helps middle-class Colombian families get loans. Antonio Rodiles launches Cuba’s first free speech forum. Gopher Illustrated promotes Hispanic culture.

Policy Updates: Kurt Nagle on U.S. seaport expansion. Kathryn Lindhold-Leary on dual-language instruction in the U.S. Luis Oganes on the state of capital controls in the region.

Fresh Look Reviews: John Carey on Latin American populism. Adriana La Rotta on the narco years in Colombia. Nancy Pérez on Central American migrants.

Just the Numbers: Dog and cat ownership in the U.S. and Latin America.