This set organizes programs of the "Latin Pulse" series that deal in depth or in some significant way with free speech and censorship.

The graphic is by Mr.Enjoy of Funchal, Portugal via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrenjoy/549547256/

Free Speech & Censorship

This week, Latin Pulse looks closely at Ecuador, especially its policies on the environment and its diplomatic stance concerning the asylum of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.  The program discusses the various stances of Ecuador's President Rafael Correa when it comes to international free speech movements and those in the media in his own country.  The program also explores Correa's shifting positions regarding oil development in the sensitive Yasuni National Park region of the Amazon.  The news segment this week covers the re-election victory of President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Rob Albro of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS); and
Teodoro Bustamante of Ecuador's FLACSO. 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml; and
Writer: Elyssa Pachico.
The photo of Julian Assange of Wikileaks and Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño of Ecuador is from the Foreign Ministry of Ecuador and is in the public domain.


“Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV.

http://www.american.edu/soc/
http://www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm


Ecuador: Analyzing Asylum for Assange & Discussing Yasuni Park (Lp6202014)

The arts and the internet in Cuba provide the twin themes this week on Latin Pulse.  The program includes an in-depth discussion with two of Cuba's leaders in the arts, discussing artistic freedom and freedom of expression, along with the cultural themes of their work in the theater. The program also discusses the development of the internet and dissident media in Cuba. The news segment of the program covers the rise in tensions between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, and the U.K.'s plans to modernize its defenses on the islands.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Flora Lauten & Raquel Carrio of Cuba's Teatro Buendia; and
Ted Henken of Baruch College of the City University of New York (CUNY).


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock.

The photo collage is from OWNI.eu which makes its content available through a Creative Commons license: http://owni.eu/2011/02/15/digital-rations-internet-policy-in-castros-cuba/

Produced for release on March 27, 2015.

The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/


Cuba: The Arts & the Internet (Lp3272015)

Memories and reviews of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and his work take center stage this week on Latin Pulse as this week marks a year since the death of this winner of the Nobel Prize for literature. The program traces Garcia Marquez from his beginnings as a journalist through his fame as an author setting an example for writers worldwide.  The program also discusses the writer's ties to Cuba. The news segment of the program reviews the outcome of the Summit of the Americas and Panama and how the United States and Cuba continue working toward normalized diplomatic relations.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Gustavo Arango of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta; and
Nuria Vilanova of American University.


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; 
Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock; and
Announcer: Guillermo Rodriguez.

The photo is from the International Festival of Cinema in Guadalajara, Mexico via Flickr using a Creative Commons license: www.flickr.com/people/21373185@N04 . The photo is from 2009.

Produced for release on April 17, 2015.

The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/


Remembering Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Lp4172015)

This week, Latin Pulse concludes its spring series of programs looking at the roiling political waters in Venezuela. Experts on the program look at the use of conspiracy theories and how they are used to make propaganda gains and control the political discourse.  The program also discusses the breakdown of democratic institutions in the country and the credibility of elections. The news segment of the program covers accusations by the head of the Venezuelan National Assembly that he expects the political opposition to use fraud to make political gains in elections for the assembly later this year.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Hugo Perez Hernaiz* of the Universidad Central de Venezuela; and
Michael McCarthy of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS).


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock.

The photo of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on May 8, 2015.

The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/


Venezuela: Politics, Plots and Propaganda (Lp5082015)

Originating in Puerto Rico again this week, Latin Pulse looks at issues of identity, the media and politics on both the island and in Mexico. The program discusses how U.S. and Latino media often homogenize programming and forget the Puerto Rican experience.  The program also reveals how in Mexico, issues of equity and media corruption distort the political debate.  How do the political left and right find space for debate in a system dominated by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (the PRI).  The news segment of the program covers set backs in the peace process for the Colombian civil war.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:
Federico Subervi of Kent State University; and
Manuel Alejandro Guerrero of the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock.

The graphic of a coin is from the U.S. government and is in the public domain.

Produced in Puerto Rico for release on May 29, 2015.

The program is produced through the support of Webster University: www.webster.edu/


Puerto Rico & Mexico: Media, Identity and Politics (Lp5292015)

Presidential politics in both Brazil and the Dominican Republic provides the twin themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program recounts the historic movements to suspend President Dilma Rousseff from office this past week along with how Michel Temer has moved initially to fill the role of interim president.  This week's analysis includes a look forward at the impeachment process that could permanently remove Rousseff from the presidency.  The program also provides a preview of this weekend's presidential vote in the Dominican Republic and gauges the chances for President Danilo Medina to be re-elected.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:
Matthew Taylor of American University; and
Christopher Mitchell of New York University.


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and 
Production Assistant: Chorsie Martin.


The photo of Dilma Rousseff, the suspended president of Brazil, and Michel Temer, the interim president of Brazil, is from Agência Brasil which allows use of its material through a Creative Commons license: http://uipi.com.br/noticias/politica/2015/07/27/dilma-temer-e-ministros-tracam-estrategia-para-unificar-base-no-congresso/


“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: http://www.webster.edu/communications/ 


Politics: Rousseff Suspended in Brazil & Elections in the Dominican Republic (Lp5132016)

The Rio Olympics set for this summer in Brazil and their various problems provide the central themes this week on "Latin Pulse." The program analyzes a variety of challenges for these games including security, crime, transportation, infrastructure, and environmental and economic impacts of the games.  The program also discusses the various health issues confronting these games including the zika virus and super bacteria that are present in some of the venues for water events in the Olympics. The news segment of the program covers the resignation of Eduardo Cunha, president of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies due to corruption charges.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Andrew Zimbalist of Smith College; and
Alex Cuadros, author of Brazillionaires. 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and 
Production Assistant: Chorsie Martin.


The graphic is the official logo of the 2016 Olympics and is used here following fair use guidelines.


“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


Brazil: Debating the Olympics in Rio (Lp7082016)

An hour-long special covers various issues regarding human rights and democratization on Latin Pulse this week. The program includes a wide-ranging discussion of the various crises affecting Venezuela, including the political and economic situations.  The analysis also includes discussions on the peace process in Colombia and accusations of human rights abuses by the military in Honduras.  The program also includes a review of a book on corruption in Brazil. The news segment of the program covers how El Salvador's Supreme Court struck down the country's amnesty law opening the door to human rights prosecutions linked to the country's civil war.
The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Dan Hellinger of Webster University; 
Orlando Perez of Millersville University;
Gimena Sanchez of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and 
Alex Cuadros, author of Brazillionaires. 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and 
Production Assistant: Chorsie Martin.

The photo of anti-government protesters marching due to the lack of food supplies in Venezuela is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


Special: Crisis in Venezuela; the Peace Process in Colombia; and Brazillionaires (LP7152016)

Venezuela, Colombia, and their simmering problems provide the central themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program includes an in-depth analysis reviewing the state of democracy in Venezuela and how that affects the current crisis situation.  The program also discusses how minority groups (Afro-Colombians and indigenous tribes) have been marginalized as part of the negotiations to end the country's long-running civil war. The news segment of the program covers the inauguration of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski as both Peru's newest and oldest president, along with noting his support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (the TPP).


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Dan Hellinger of Webster University; and
Gimena Sanchez of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and 
Production Assistant: Chorsie Martin.


The photo of an anti-government protester in Venezuela is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


Venezuela in Crisis & Indigenous and Afro-Colombian Views of Colombia's Peace Talks (LP7292016)

Fútbol (or soccer) at the Olympics and concerns about the military and police in Honduras    provide the varied themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program provides an in-depth analysis of both the women's and men's fútbol competitions at the Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  The program also concludes its two-part critique of the Honduran military. The program also discusses the role the military is playing in both the Drug War and in the political sphere in Honduras. The news segment of the program discusses U.S. President Barack Obama's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (the TPP).



The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Joshua Nadel of North Carolina Central University; and
Orlando Perez of Millersville University. 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and 
Production Assistant: Chorsie Martin.


The photo Brazil’s fútbol team in action against South Africa in the Olympics is by Marcelo Camargo of Agência Brasil.  Agência Brasil offers its images for use via a Creative Commons license:
http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/rio-2016/foto/2016-08/brasil-estreia-contra-africa-do-sul-no-mane-garrincha

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


Rick Rockwell's Album

Olympic Fútbol, Analyzing Soccer in Rio & Concerns About the Military in Honduras (Lp8052016)

LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or trans-gender) issues at the Summer Olympics in Rio, along with economics and politics provide the varied themes on Latin Pulse this week. First, the program delves into homophobia in Brazil and how Brazilian crowds have reacted to LGBT athletes.  The program also includes an in-depth analysis into the current economic and political issues facing Cuba. The news segment of the program discusses the uptick in Zika cases in Honduras and how newborns are being affected there, while civil society groups call for more access to birth control.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Jim Buzinski of Outsports; and
Dan Hellinger of Webster University. 

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Technical Director: Jim Singer. 
 
*This program includes frank discussion of adult themes related to sexuality and sexual identity. 

The photo of female soccer competitors, including Megan Rapinoe (left) is a public domain photo.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


LGBT Issues at the Rio Olympics & Economic Challenges in Cuba (Lp8192016)

The proposed peace treaty dealing with the FARC in Colombia and the deterioration of democracy in Nicaragua are the twin themes on Latin Pulse this week. First, the program dissects the proposed peace pact between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC by its Spanish acronym) and the Colombian government. Also, the program explores how President Daniel Ortega has manipulated the electoral system in Nicaragua. The news segment of the program covers the end of Dilma Rousseff's presidency as the Brazilian Senate found her guilty of shifting funds without Congressional approval and with misleading the Brazilian Congress.
The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Adam Isacson of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and
Manuel Orozco of the Inter-American Dialogue. 

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Technical Director: Jim Singer. 

The photo of celebrations about the proposed peace treaty in Colombia is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


The FARC Peace Treaty in Colombia & Politics in Nicaragua (Lp9022016)

Brazil and its various concerns are again on the radar of "Latin Pulse" this week. First, the program looks at what is in store for Brazil politically and economically after the ouster of President Dilma Rousseff by the country's Congress. And how will the Temer administration deal with anti-government protests? Also, the program discusses ways to fight the Zika virus, after the disease started in Brazil but has now spread to Central America and beyond. The news segment of the program covers how funds to fight Zika and support research for Zika vaccines are stalled in the U.S. Congress.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Prof. Matthew Taylor of American University; and
Dr. Reina Turcios-Ruiz of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Technical Director: Jim Singer. 

The photo of protests in Brazil is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/

Brazil: Unrest After the Rousseff Exit & Fighting Zika (Lp9092016)

We celebrate the "Latin Pulse" five-year anniversary fiesta, with out-takes and excerpts from the past year, a tradition for the program.  The audience's favorite themes are on display.  Those themes include: the clash between the National Assembly and the president in Venezuela; the shift to the right in Argentina; the impeachment trial and corruption scandals in Brazil; and the Feast of San Lazaro and Santeria. The news segment of the program covers the defense by Brazil's President Michel Temer before the United Nations' General Assembly, justifying the impeachment and removal of Dilma Rousseff, an act that brought Temer to power.


The program includes interviews with:


Eric Hershberg of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS);
David Smilde of Tulane University;
Matthew Taylor of American University;
Chris Sabatini of Columbia University; and 
Michael Atwood Mason of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Associate Producer: Jim Singer. 

Excerpts and out-takes from this program came from these popular programs:

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/cuba-venezuela-santeria-feast-san-lazaro-election-results-lp12112015

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/political-crisis-brazil-aftereffects-obama-trip-argentina-lp4012016 

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/political-economic-forecast-latin-america-2016-lp1152016




“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/

Anniversary V: Outstanding Out-Takes & Excerpts (Lp9232016)

Join us as we discuss with Dr. Laura Riley, the “ins and outs” of a growing international epidemic, Zika virus. How is it transmitted? If I get the virus, what information is available about the short and long term effects? You can find the podcast on iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud and our website www.catalyst.harvard.edu/thinkresearch

Zika Virus: Understanding the Global Crisis

This special edition of Latin Pulse includes a different perspective on the presidential elections in the U.S.: a view from Cuba.  A Cuban professor discusses how the elections could have an impact on the warming relations between the two countries.  The program also discusses the rise of English as a mandated second language in South America and how that could reflect cultural imperialism. The news segment of the program covers the negotiations between opposition parties in Venezuela and the president to avert further protests and a move by the National Assembly to hold an impeachment trial.


The program includes interviews with:

Santiago Perez Benitez of the University of Havana & the Center for International Political Research (CIPI); and
DJ Kaiser of Webster University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Associate Producer: Jim Singer. 

The photo of Cuban President Raul Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama is from the Cuban government and is in the public domain.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/

Special: The U.S. Elections, the Cuban View & Education in South America (Lp11052016)

“Latin Pulse” is a weekly program that reviews news from Latin America and analyzes politics, culture, religion, and important issues throughout the region. This weekly podcast is distributed by Link TV, iTunes, and, of course, SoundCloud.  

Ecuador: Analyzing Asylum for Assange & Discussing Yasuni Park (Lp6202014)

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