Argentine journalist Jorge Lanata who has won Spain’s Television Iris
Award, claims that ‘80% of Argentine media is in the hands of government
(President Cristina Fernandez)” which are used as “instruments of
propaganda”.
Lanata was given the award for his “standing exposure of the corrupt
political class and his defence of the weakest”, according to the
statement that supported the Spanish television academy most respectable
prize.
“We’re going through a delicate moment and in a state of division
that is promoted from the very centres of power”, argued Lanata
interviewed by Spain’s government news agency.
His program “Journalism for all” aired by Channel 13 is
currently in the heart of a major political controversy in Argentina
following his exposure, with documents and witnesses of a web of
companies belonging to former Argentine president Nestor Kirchner which
had a close friend of his as the front man and who became the only
public works contractor of the province of Santa Cruz, the Kirchner’s
political turf.
Once his mentor became president and moved to Buenos Aires the former
obscure bank teller Lazaro Baez became one of the richest men in the
province with assets estimated in tens of millions of dollars and his
companies absorbing most of public works now in the whole of Patagonia.
The organization of Kirchner and Baez allegedly has also been
involved in money laundering from the skimmed public works through
Uruguay to Panama, Belize, Caribbean islands and finally Switzerland.
Lanata regretted that the Argentine courts have yet to decide an
investigation despite all the information and documents supplied. “I
don’t think it is because the system is corrupt but rather that the
Executive keeps advancing on the judicial branch”, said Lanata.
“Our job is not evangelization or teaching, it is just telling what
we know and that we can prove and communicate it in the most creative
form possible”, pointed out the Argentine journalist who added that “we
must be as independent as possible. What gives me independence is public
opinion: as long as they watch us that is what gives us power”.
Reference internet Lanata described it as the greatest invention
since printing and “a great opportunity” for journalism. “Sure we are
going through a crisis, but a good crisis. Internet is just starting and
offers a great opportunity to experiment new things”.
Finally the Argentine communicator said that the world is changing
and the role of emerging countries and their media will keep growing
including in this area. “We are still submitted mostly to a North-South
communication system, but in a near future we’ll be facing new paradigms
and new ways of communicating”-
Lanata describes himself as la liberal with left wing inclinations.
Liberal because he believes in democracy and left wing because of the
injustices “I see and come across everyday”
