A recent report produced by the Argentinian-base Association of Civil Rights highlighted various forms of indirect government censorship in Latin America designed to influence content, including withholding or granting public advertising funds and denying broadcast licenses on the basis of critical coverage.

Roberto Saba, executive director of the association, recently presented the findings of the report, title "The Price of Silence: The Growing Threat of Soft Censorship in Latin America."

To illustrate the magnitude of the potential threat, Saba noted that the Argentine annual budget for public advertising soared from US$15 million in 2003 to US$107 million in 2007. Small outlets are particularly dependent on this money for survival, according to Saba. Yet public officials can’t track these funds due to non existing technical criteria.

Saba’s recommendations included addressing the lack of regulation.

This report was produced in partnership with the Open Society Justice Initiative.

To read and/or download the report click here.

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