Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ASUNCION2
2010-01-05 14:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:
Paraguay Media Analysis
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAC #0002/01 0051402 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051400Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0358 INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000002
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS OIIP PA KPAO PREL AID
SUBJECT: Paraguay Media Analysis
UNCLAS ASUNCION 000002
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS OIIP PA KPAO PREL AID
SUBJECT: Paraguay Media Analysis
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Paraguay is characterized by a free and vibrant
media environment with independent newspapers, TV and radio
stations. While radio and TV penetration is close to 100%,
Internet diffusion is fairly low at about 8%, with Google, Orkut
and YouTube being the most popular sites. Text messaging and
Twitter are increasingly popular due to wide distribution of cell
phones (96%). In a July 2009 survey by the Open Source Center,
those responding indicated the media most recently used were ??????
TV
94%, radio 81%, newspapers 32%, and internet 20%. Media frequently
criticized the government and freely discussed opposition
viewpoints without censorship. However, many media outlets reflect
personal, business or political interests, and ethical and
professional standards are often low. In general, reporting is
sketchy, fact checking optional, and the line between reporting and
editorializing is often blurred. Paradoxically, the media is still
one of the most trusted institutions in Paraguay. END SUMMARY.
THE LAW
2. (U) The law provides for freedom of speech and of the press, and
the government generally respected these rights in practice.
Independent media were active and expressed a wide variety of views
with few legal restrictions. Many of the leading media moguls own
media conglomerates which include print, TV, and radio outlets,
real estate, supermarkets, fast food chains, and import/export
businesses. Many of the important media outlets also have obvious
political biases.
3. (SBU) The government recently started an education TV channel,
owns a public radio station, and pays for publicity. Unregistered,
unlicensed radio stations are the norm, often owned by politicians,
especially in the rural countryside. Communications Minister
Augusto Dos Santos told PAO that he was interested in
??????legalizing??????
these community radio stations. He estimated that of the roughly
1,000 community radio stations, only 200 were licensed to
broadcast. In November 2009, however, Dos Santos was criticized
when it was revealed that the GOP paid for publicity on 51
community radio stations (of which only 3 had licenses).
POOR QUALITY OF REPORTING
4. (SBU) The quality of reporting is poor in Paraguay and ethical
and professional standards are often low. In general, reporting
is sketchy, fact checking optional, and the line between reporting
and editorializing is often blurred. Many media outlets reflect
personal, business, or political interests. For example, both ABC
Color and La Nacion mirror the conservative political views of the
papers?????? owners (see below). Both have taken a hard-line against
President Lugo and coverage of him and his government is extremely
negative in these publications. Paradoxically, the media is still
one of the most trusted institutions in Paraguay.
PRINT
5. (U) Paraguay has three main daily newspapers: ABC Color, Ultima
Hora and La Nacion. ABC Color is center-right in orientation and
the leading paper in circulation (40,000) and influence. Ultima
Hora is center-left oriented and is second in circulation
(22,000-25,000). Finally, La Nacion has a conservative business
orientation and is third in circulation (8,000-10,000). These
circulation numbers are a bit misleading because newspapers are
frequently passed around and leading stories are discussed on TV
and radio.
6. (U) Popular (Grupo Multimedia) and Cronica (Grupo La Nacion) are
the two main tabloid-type dailies, with solid circulation amongst
middle-low income readers. In fact, Popular, red mainly by
less-educated urban Paraguayans, has a circulation (45,000)
comparable to ABC Color. There are also regional newspapers like
Vanguardia and TN Press in Ciudad Del Este.
7. (SBU) ABC Color, the leading daily, was founded by Aldo
??????Acero??????
Zuccolillo-Moscarda in 1967. ??????Acero?????? (which means steel in
Spanish) at 79 is still going strong and very much involved in
daily operations. Zuccolillo also owns a department store chain, a
construction company, a finance company, and has extensive real
estate holdings. Zuccolillo strongly dislikes Venezuela??????s Hugo
Chavez and although he supported President Lugo in the 2008
elections, has since taken a strong anti-Lugo line. He has told us
that he fears Lugo is a ??????Chavez-Marxist?????? who wants to shut
down
independent media. ABC is also highly critical of the long-ruling
Colorado Party, defeated in the 2008 presidential elections after
61 years in power. Zuccolillo??????s political line is clearly
reflected in both reporting and editorials. (NOTE: In December
2009, a group of supposed ??????leftists?????? started a public
relations
campaign against ABC Color entitled ??????ABC Lies?????? involving
posters,
flyers, and internet sites. ABC Color is a powerful media
conglomerate and it is doubtful that Zuccolillo, who survived some
tough times when his paper was shut down during Alfredo
Stroessner??????s dictatorship in the 1980s, is too worried. END
NOTE).
8. (SBU) Ultima Hora, founded in 1973, has a center-left, social
justice editorial line. Today Ultima Hora is owned by business and
media tycoon Antonio Juan Vierci Mendoza. Vierci was born in 1945
and studied Accounting and Business Administration at the Catholic
University of Asuncion. Vierci, more of an entrepreneur than a
journalist, has extensive business holdings which include
supermarkets, the Paraguayan Burger King franchise, import/export
businesses, and several fashion and gossip magazines. Vierci is
also the owner of CIM, Centro Informativo Multimedios, a media
group which includes two television channels (Telefuturo and La
Tele) and two FM radio stations (Radio La Estaci????n FM 91.1 and
Radio Urbana FM 106.0). Vierci is a conservative business man and
has told us that he is ??????pro-U.S.?????? and believes the world
needs a
strong and vibrant USA.
9. (SBU) La Nacion has a conservative and business oriented
editorial line and is owned by businessman and well-known Colorado
Party activist Osvaldo Dominguez-Dibb. Dominguez-Dibb also owns a
cigarette manufacturer (Tabacalera Boquern) and has extensive real
estate holdings. His son, Alejandro Dominguez Wilson-Smith, who
studied in the US, is the Director of Grupo La Nacion, which
includes two dailies: La Nacion and Cronica, radio 970 AM and
various FM stations. Both father and son have ties to the
Stroessner family. It has been rumored (but not proven) that
Dominguez-Dibb is involved in the production of fraudulent brand
cigarettes. (NOTE: Paraguay is considered the number two producer
worldwide of counterfeit brand cigarettes, after China. END NOTE).
TELEVISION
10. (U) Paraguay has four nationwide TV stations with a significant
media presence: SNT (ch. 9),Telefuturo (ch. 4),El Trece (ch.13),
and Red Guarani (ch. 2). Nearly every household in Paraguay has a
television set. Other TV stations with a smaller presence are:
Paravision (ch.5),La Tele (ch.11),Unicanal (cable ch.8),and
recently inaugurated Arandu Rape (government-owned educational
cable TV channel 4).
11. (SBU) Sistema Nacional de Television (SNT - Channel 9) reaches
the widest audience in the country (76%). SNT is a commercial TV
station with a centrist line. The leading journalists are: Yolanda
Park (former IV),Mario Ferreiro, Carlos Troche and Manuel Cuenca.
SNT began operating in 1965, and is owned by the Albavision Group
belonging to Mexican businessman Angel Gonzalez. Gonzalez also
owns other TV and radio stations in Mexico and Central America.
The Director of SNT since 1999 has been Ismael Hadid Florentin.
Hadid, 48 years old, is Paraguayan of Middle Eastern descent. In
addition to Channel 9 and its nine repeaters, Hadid also manages
Channel 7 Itap????a, Channel 8 Ciudad del Este and Channel 5
Paravision. Hadid has told us he believes in the US, is amazed at
how we keep reinventing ourselves (in reference to the election of
Barack Obama),and is proud that his son graduated from Georgetown
University and speaks English.
12. (U) Telefuturo Channel 4, owned by businessman Antonio J.
Vierci, is part of the Centro Informativo Multimedios Group (CIM)
which includes popular FM radio Estacion 40. Telefuturo is a
commercial station with a center-social justice line. Telefuturo
started broadcasting in 1997. Some of its leading journalists are
Oscar Acosta, Sanie L????pez-Garelli, Carlos Baez, Luis Bareiro and
Ana Rivas. Telefuturo covers 75% of the country and has a 36%
market share of primetime news.
13. (U) El Trece or Red Privada de Comunicaci????n Channel 13 is a
commercial television station, with a centrist line. El Trece was
founded in 1981 by Nicolas Bo Parodi but was bought in 2007 by
Christian Alfredo Chena of the Teledifusora Paraguaya group. Chena
is a young entrepreneur and e-commerce pioneer who controls 80% of
total shares. Teledifusora Paraguaya includes Channel 13 and Radio
Cardinal AM and FM. Some of the leading journalists are Guillermo
Domanizky, Carlos Martini, Diego Marini and Natalia Cabarcos.
14. (U) Red Guarani Channel 2 is part of the Red de Comunicaci????n
Integral/Radio Obedira group. Red Guarani is a commercial TV
station with centrist family oriented programming. The director of
Red Guarani is Arnoldo Wiens, host of a popular evening
issue-oriented talk show. The leading journalists are Roberto
Coronel, Oscar Escobar, Mariana Pineda and Jazmin Garcia.
RADIO
15. (U) Radio in many ways is the most important communication
medium in Paraguay with the largest audience share and largest
reach in rural areas. Several stations have national coverage; the
most important AM ones are ????anduti 1020, Primero de Marzo 780,
Cardinal 730, Radio Caritas 680 and Radio Uno 650.
16. (U) Top-rated RADIO ????ANDUTI - 1020 AM ?????? 107.1 FM is a
commercial station with a centrist line founded in 1962. It is
part of the Holding de Radio group, owned by Humberto Rubin and his
family. The Holding de Radio group includes Radio ????anduti, Radio
Mburucuy???? in Pedro Juan Caballero and Radio FM Concert.
17. (U) Humberto Rubin, age 75, is a journalist with a long career
in radio and television. Rubin faced incarceration because of his
defense of democracy during Stroessner's dictatorship and his radio
station was closed down. Rubin is married to present Minister of
Women Gloria Rubin and has several children and grandchildren who
also work in media. Rubin has two daily programs on Radio ????anduti,
a top-rated morning show and an evening newscast program. He also
has a live TV program on La Tele Channel 11 which airs twice a
week. Radio Nanduti??????s leading journalists besides Rubin are
Hugo
Rubin, Leo Rubin, Divina Mendoza, and Osmar Apuril.
18. (U) RADIO PRIMERO DE MARZO 780 AM is part of the Megacadena de
Comunicaci????n group, whose director is Estela Riveros. Radio
Primero
de Marzo has one of the largest countrywide audience shares in
Paraguay. Radio Primero de Marzo can be heard in Argentine and
Brazilian border towns. Some of its leading journalists are: Carlos
Peralta, Mabel Rehnfeldt, Yolanda Park, Alfonso Leon, and Vladimir
Jara. Carlos Peralta is one of Paraguay??????s most influential
broadcast journalists. Peralta hosts the second-ranked radio
morning show.
19. (U) RADIO CARDINAL ?????? 730 AM ?????? 92.30 FM is a commercial
station
with a centrist line. The director is Alfredo Chena from the Chena
Group. Some of the leading journalists are: Diego Marini, Roberto
Sosa, and Guillermo Domanisky y Santiago Gonzalez.
20. (U) RADIO 970 AM is part of Grupo La Nacion, whose Director is
Alejandro Dominguez Wilson-Smith. Some of its leading journalists
are: Clari Arias (FM radio) and Enrique Vargas Pe????a, also a
columnist/editorialist with La Nacion.
21. (U) RADIO CARITAS 680 AM is a commercial station owned by
Catholic University. It is one of the few radio stations which
reject tobacco and alcohol advertising. Radio Caritas, founded by
the Franciscan Order, was one of the few independent outlets that
survived the restrictions/closures of the Stroessner era. Caritas
is where many now famous media personalities and journalists such
as Humberto Rubin started their careers. Some of the leading
journalists are: Carlos Martini, Jose Maria Costa, Ramon Casco, and
Susana Oviedo.
22. (U) Radio Estacion 40 (FM 91.1) is a popular FM station with
younger listeners which belongs to the A.J. Vierci Group.
23. (U) Radio Nacional del Paraguay 920AM/95.1 FM is a bare-bones
government-owned radio station with a modest listenership, although
it is available nationwide and reaches deep into the countryside.
During the Stroessner years Radio Nacional was an important
propaganda tool. When Stroessner was deposed in 1989, Radio
Nacional ceased to be an official government-owned station but
survived as the official propaganda organ of the Colorado party.
Since 2008, with the defeat of the Colorados, a process of
restructuring and refunding has been undertaken by the GOP. Now
the focus of the radio station is cultural programming, music, and
promotion of government social and health initiatives, with some
programming in the local indigenous language Guarani. The current
director of Radio Nacional is Judith Vera. Vera, in her 50s, is an
independent, professional, radio journalist. She has told us she
sees U.S National Public Radio as a good model for Radio Nacional.
HOLLOWAY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS OIIP PA KPAO PREL AID
SUBJECT: Paraguay Media Analysis
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Paraguay is characterized by a free and vibrant
media environment with independent newspapers, TV and radio
stations. While radio and TV penetration is close to 100%,
Internet diffusion is fairly low at about 8%, with Google, Orkut
and YouTube being the most popular sites. Text messaging and
Twitter are increasingly popular due to wide distribution of cell
phones (96%). In a July 2009 survey by the Open Source Center,
those responding indicated the media most recently used were ??????
TV
94%, radio 81%, newspapers 32%, and internet 20%. Media frequently
criticized the government and freely discussed opposition
viewpoints without censorship. However, many media outlets reflect
personal, business or political interests, and ethical and
professional standards are often low. In general, reporting is
sketchy, fact checking optional, and the line between reporting and
editorializing is often blurred. Paradoxically, the media is still
one of the most trusted institutions in Paraguay. END SUMMARY.
THE LAW
2. (U) The law provides for freedom of speech and of the press, and
the government generally respected these rights in practice.
Independent media were active and expressed a wide variety of views
with few legal restrictions. Many of the leading media moguls own
media conglomerates which include print, TV, and radio outlets,
real estate, supermarkets, fast food chains, and import/export
businesses. Many of the important media outlets also have obvious
political biases.
3. (SBU) The government recently started an education TV channel,
owns a public radio station, and pays for publicity. Unregistered,
unlicensed radio stations are the norm, often owned by politicians,
especially in the rural countryside. Communications Minister
Augusto Dos Santos told PAO that he was interested in
??????legalizing??????
these community radio stations. He estimated that of the roughly
1,000 community radio stations, only 200 were licensed to
broadcast. In November 2009, however, Dos Santos was criticized
when it was revealed that the GOP paid for publicity on 51
community radio stations (of which only 3 had licenses).
POOR QUALITY OF REPORTING
4. (SBU) The quality of reporting is poor in Paraguay and ethical
and professional standards are often low. In general, reporting
is sketchy, fact checking optional, and the line between reporting
and editorializing is often blurred. Many media outlets reflect
personal, business, or political interests. For example, both ABC
Color and La Nacion mirror the conservative political views of the
papers?????? owners (see below). Both have taken a hard-line against
President Lugo and coverage of him and his government is extremely
negative in these publications. Paradoxically, the media is still
one of the most trusted institutions in Paraguay.
5. (U) Paraguay has three main daily newspapers: ABC Color, Ultima
Hora and La Nacion. ABC Color is center-right in orientation and
the leading paper in circulation (40,000) and influence. Ultima
Hora is center-left oriented and is second in circulation
(22,000-25,000). Finally, La Nacion has a conservative business
orientation and is third in circulation (8,000-10,000). These
circulation numbers are a bit misleading because newspapers are
frequently passed around and leading stories are discussed on TV
and radio.
6. (U) Popular (Grupo Multimedia) and Cronica (Grupo La Nacion) are
the two main tabloid-type dailies, with solid circulation amongst
middle-low income readers. In fact, Popular, red mainly by
less-educated urban Paraguayans, has a circulation (45,000)
comparable to ABC Color. There are also regional newspapers like
Vanguardia and TN Press in Ciudad Del Este.
7. (SBU) ABC Color, the leading daily, was founded by Aldo
??????Acero??????
Zuccolillo-Moscarda in 1967. ??????Acero?????? (which means steel in
Spanish) at 79 is still going strong and very much involved in
daily operations. Zuccolillo also owns a department store chain, a
construction company, a finance company, and has extensive real
estate holdings. Zuccolillo strongly dislikes Venezuela??????s Hugo
Chavez and although he supported President Lugo in the 2008
elections, has since taken a strong anti-Lugo line. He has told us
that he fears Lugo is a ??????Chavez-Marxist?????? who wants to shut
down
independent media. ABC is also highly critical of the long-ruling
Colorado Party, defeated in the 2008 presidential elections after
61 years in power. Zuccolillo??????s political line is clearly
reflected in both reporting and editorials. (NOTE: In December
2009, a group of supposed ??????leftists?????? started a public
relations
campaign against ABC Color entitled ??????ABC Lies?????? involving
posters,
flyers, and internet sites. ABC Color is a powerful media
conglomerate and it is doubtful that Zuccolillo, who survived some
tough times when his paper was shut down during Alfredo
Stroessner??????s dictatorship in the 1980s, is too worried. END
NOTE).
8. (SBU) Ultima Hora, founded in 1973, has a center-left, social
justice editorial line. Today Ultima Hora is owned by business and
media tycoon Antonio Juan Vierci Mendoza. Vierci was born in 1945
and studied Accounting and Business Administration at the Catholic
University of Asuncion. Vierci, more of an entrepreneur than a
journalist, has extensive business holdings which include
supermarkets, the Paraguayan Burger King franchise, import/export
businesses, and several fashion and gossip magazines. Vierci is
also the owner of CIM, Centro Informativo Multimedios, a media
group which includes two television channels (Telefuturo and La
Tele) and two FM radio stations (Radio La Estaci????n FM 91.1 and
Radio Urbana FM 106.0). Vierci is a conservative business man and
has told us that he is ??????pro-U.S.?????? and believes the world
needs a
strong and vibrant USA.
9. (SBU) La Nacion has a conservative and business oriented
editorial line and is owned by businessman and well-known Colorado
Party activist Osvaldo Dominguez-Dibb. Dominguez-Dibb also owns a
cigarette manufacturer (Tabacalera Boquern) and has extensive real
estate holdings. His son, Alejandro Dominguez Wilson-Smith, who
studied in the US, is the Director of Grupo La Nacion, which
includes two dailies: La Nacion and Cronica, radio 970 AM and
various FM stations. Both father and son have ties to the
Stroessner family. It has been rumored (but not proven) that
Dominguez-Dibb is involved in the production of fraudulent brand
cigarettes. (NOTE: Paraguay is considered the number two producer
worldwide of counterfeit brand cigarettes, after China. END NOTE).
TELEVISION
10. (U) Paraguay has four nationwide TV stations with a significant
media presence: SNT (ch. 9),Telefuturo (ch. 4),El Trece (ch.13),
and Red Guarani (ch. 2). Nearly every household in Paraguay has a
television set. Other TV stations with a smaller presence are:
Paravision (ch.5),La Tele (ch.11),Unicanal (cable ch.8),and
recently inaugurated Arandu Rape (government-owned educational
cable TV channel 4).
11. (SBU) Sistema Nacional de Television (SNT - Channel 9) reaches
the widest audience in the country (76%). SNT is a commercial TV
station with a centrist line. The leading journalists are: Yolanda
Park (former IV),Mario Ferreiro, Carlos Troche and Manuel Cuenca.
SNT began operating in 1965, and is owned by the Albavision Group
belonging to Mexican businessman Angel Gonzalez. Gonzalez also
owns other TV and radio stations in Mexico and Central America.
The Director of SNT since 1999 has been Ismael Hadid Florentin.
Hadid, 48 years old, is Paraguayan of Middle Eastern descent. In
addition to Channel 9 and its nine repeaters, Hadid also manages
Channel 7 Itap????a, Channel 8 Ciudad del Este and Channel 5
Paravision. Hadid has told us he believes in the US, is amazed at
how we keep reinventing ourselves (in reference to the election of
Barack Obama),and is proud that his son graduated from Georgetown
University and speaks English.
12. (U) Telefuturo Channel 4, owned by businessman Antonio J.
Vierci, is part of the Centro Informativo Multimedios Group (CIM)
which includes popular FM radio Estacion 40. Telefuturo is a
commercial station with a center-social justice line. Telefuturo
started broadcasting in 1997. Some of its leading journalists are
Oscar Acosta, Sanie L????pez-Garelli, Carlos Baez, Luis Bareiro and
Ana Rivas. Telefuturo covers 75% of the country and has a 36%
market share of primetime news.
13. (U) El Trece or Red Privada de Comunicaci????n Channel 13 is a
commercial television station, with a centrist line. El Trece was
founded in 1981 by Nicolas Bo Parodi but was bought in 2007 by
Christian Alfredo Chena of the Teledifusora Paraguaya group. Chena
is a young entrepreneur and e-commerce pioneer who controls 80% of
total shares. Teledifusora Paraguaya includes Channel 13 and Radio
Cardinal AM and FM. Some of the leading journalists are Guillermo
Domanizky, Carlos Martini, Diego Marini and Natalia Cabarcos.
14. (U) Red Guarani Channel 2 is part of the Red de Comunicaci????n
Integral/Radio Obedira group. Red Guarani is a commercial TV
station with centrist family oriented programming. The director of
Red Guarani is Arnoldo Wiens, host of a popular evening
issue-oriented talk show. The leading journalists are Roberto
Coronel, Oscar Escobar, Mariana Pineda and Jazmin Garcia.
RADIO
15. (U) Radio in many ways is the most important communication
medium in Paraguay with the largest audience share and largest
reach in rural areas. Several stations have national coverage; the
most important AM ones are ????anduti 1020, Primero de Marzo 780,
Cardinal 730, Radio Caritas 680 and Radio Uno 650.
16. (U) Top-rated RADIO ????ANDUTI - 1020 AM ?????? 107.1 FM is a
commercial station with a centrist line founded in 1962. It is
part of the Holding de Radio group, owned by Humberto Rubin and his
family. The Holding de Radio group includes Radio ????anduti, Radio
Mburucuy???? in Pedro Juan Caballero and Radio FM Concert.
17. (U) Humberto Rubin, age 75, is a journalist with a long career
in radio and television. Rubin faced incarceration because of his
defense of democracy during Stroessner's dictatorship and his radio
station was closed down. Rubin is married to present Minister of
Women Gloria Rubin and has several children and grandchildren who
also work in media. Rubin has two daily programs on Radio ????anduti,
a top-rated morning show and an evening newscast program. He also
has a live TV program on La Tele Channel 11 which airs twice a
week. Radio Nanduti??????s leading journalists besides Rubin are
Hugo
Rubin, Leo Rubin, Divina Mendoza, and Osmar Apuril.
18. (U) RADIO PRIMERO DE MARZO 780 AM is part of the Megacadena de
Comunicaci????n group, whose director is Estela Riveros. Radio
Primero
de Marzo has one of the largest countrywide audience shares in
Paraguay. Radio Primero de Marzo can be heard in Argentine and
Brazilian border towns. Some of its leading journalists are: Carlos
Peralta, Mabel Rehnfeldt, Yolanda Park, Alfonso Leon, and Vladimir
Jara. Carlos Peralta is one of Paraguay??????s most influential
broadcast journalists. Peralta hosts the second-ranked radio
morning show.
19. (U) RADIO CARDINAL ?????? 730 AM ?????? 92.30 FM is a commercial
station
with a centrist line. The director is Alfredo Chena from the Chena
Group. Some of the leading journalists are: Diego Marini, Roberto
Sosa, and Guillermo Domanisky y Santiago Gonzalez.
20. (U) RADIO 970 AM is part of Grupo La Nacion, whose Director is
Alejandro Dominguez Wilson-Smith. Some of its leading journalists
are: Clari Arias (FM radio) and Enrique Vargas Pe????a, also a
columnist/editorialist with La Nacion.
21. (U) RADIO CARITAS 680 AM is a commercial station owned by
Catholic University. It is one of the few radio stations which
reject tobacco and alcohol advertising. Radio Caritas, founded by
the Franciscan Order, was one of the few independent outlets that
survived the restrictions/closures of the Stroessner era. Caritas
is where many now famous media personalities and journalists such
as Humberto Rubin started their careers. Some of the leading
journalists are: Carlos Martini, Jose Maria Costa, Ramon Casco, and
Susana Oviedo.
22. (U) Radio Estacion 40 (FM 91.1) is a popular FM station with
younger listeners which belongs to the A.J. Vierci Group.
23. (U) Radio Nacional del Paraguay 920AM/95.1 FM is a bare-bones
government-owned radio station with a modest listenership, although
it is available nationwide and reaches deep into the countryside.
During the Stroessner years Radio Nacional was an important
propaganda tool. When Stroessner was deposed in 1989, Radio
Nacional ceased to be an official government-owned station but
survived as the official propaganda organ of the Colorado party.
Since 2008, with the defeat of the Colorados, a process of
restructuring and refunding has been undertaken by the GOP. Now
the focus of the radio station is cultural programming, music, and
promotion of government social and health initiatives, with some
programming in the local indigenous language Guarani. The current
director of Radio Nacional is Judith Vera. Vera, in her 50s, is an
independent, professional, radio journalist. She has told us she
sees U.S National Public Radio as a good model for Radio Nacional.
HOLLOWAY