Media and Military consumption in Chile
Media and politics have always been closely tied in not only the internal affairs of a country but the international as well. Latin America has been no exception and if anything may probably be seen as a case study in the realm of media influence on politics. It is no secret that the US has interest all over the world, but especially so in Latin America; this includes oil, mining, and agriculture. When the US has perceived that their assets and interests are in jeopardy, they mobilize and use any means they can to protect and fight for their interests--they not only consume but they create for others to consume.
The New York Times obituary for Agustin Edwards, the owner of Chilean conservative paper, El Mercurio gives a brief breakdown of his life and his legacy. Though his ties to the Times are acknowledged, his and his family's interests in politics and their role in bringing down the Allende government in the 70s are touched on.
to further explore the topic of the Edwards and their role in helping overthrow the Allende government, we can look towards "The Revolution will be televise." I find the title of this read quite interesting as, after reading through the piece, the only things that would have been televised or publicized by right wing and wealthy companies such as El Mercurio would have been for the benefit of US backed political, economic, and military leaders. The use of television, the paper, and other means not only highlights the power of this group and the US for backing them, it serves as an interesting foil for the Allende method. Where the conservatives backed by El Mercurio used terror and plight of the wealthy to gain support and enact the US's will, the Chilean left would mobilize its roots--inspire the lower classes and the peasants, the artists and musicians. Though both used emotional tactics to fight for their goals and create for the purposeful consumption of their audiences, ultimately it was the group with more power, money, and resources that won out--the US. This time, the roles are a bit merged and abstracted, morphed into a being made of latin blood but answers to it's anglo creator. It was not only Allende who wanted to create a new Man for Chile, in fact, the US had already succeeded.
The New York Times obituary for Agustin Edwards, the owner of Chilean conservative paper, El Mercurio gives a brief breakdown of his life and his legacy. Though his ties to the Times are acknowledged, his and his family's interests in politics and their role in bringing down the Allende government in the 70s are touched on.
to further explore the topic of the Edwards and their role in helping overthrow the Allende government, we can look towards "The Revolution will be televise." I find the title of this read quite interesting as, after reading through the piece, the only things that would have been televised or publicized by right wing and wealthy companies such as El Mercurio would have been for the benefit of US backed political, economic, and military leaders. The use of television, the paper, and other means not only highlights the power of this group and the US for backing them, it serves as an interesting foil for the Allende method. Where the conservatives backed by El Mercurio used terror and plight of the wealthy to gain support and enact the US's will, the Chilean left would mobilize its roots--inspire the lower classes and the peasants, the artists and musicians. Though both used emotional tactics to fight for their goals and create for the purposeful consumption of their audiences, ultimately it was the group with more power, money, and resources that won out--the US. This time, the roles are a bit merged and abstracted, morphed into a being made of latin blood but answers to it's anglo creator. It was not only Allende who wanted to create a new Man for Chile, in fact, the US had already succeeded.
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