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

Coming remotely from Caracas, Venezuela, this week Latin Pulse focuses on the prospects for the government of President Nicolas Maduro and issues of free speech in the country. The program features the views of a Venezuelan journalist and a political expert. The discussion ranges from government pressure on the media to the differing political currents in post-Chavez Venezuela and what lies ahead for the politically polarized country. The program also includes discussion of corruption in Venezuela. The news segment of the program covers the passage of major educational reforms in Mexico.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Jesus Alberto Yajure of Cadena Capriles; and
Alejandro Velasco of New York University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine and
Writer: Megan Ekhaml.


(The photo is from teleSUR, the non-profit, intra-governmental television network based in Venezuela, and is in the public domain: www.telesurtv.net/ )


“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.
www.american.edu/soc/
 www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm



Inside Post-Chavez Venezuela (Lp9062013)

This week, the second anniversary of Latin Pulse has the program looking at a variety of topics. Listen in and you can hear discussion of telenovelas, politics, diplomacy, economics, censorship, human rights, and corruption. The program also covers plenty of geographic territory, including discussion of Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Chile. The program includes out-takes from previous programs and selections from the favorite interviews of the audience. The news segment of the program covers the postponement this week of the U.S.-Brazil summit, due to revelations of U.S. spying on Brazil's president and on the state oil monopoly Petrobras.


The program includes interviews with:
Carolina Acosta-Alzuru of the University of Georgia; 
Dan Hellinger of Webster University;
Bill LeoGrande of American University;
Mark Schneider of the International Crisis Group;
Francisco Robles Rivera of Universidad Nacional and Universidad de Costa Rica;
Manuel Suarez-Mier of American University;
Adriana Beltran of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and 
Rev. Joe Eldridge of American University.


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

This program includes excerpts and out-takes from the following programs:

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/militarizing-police-honduras-remember-chile-coup-lp8292013

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/analyzing-obama-trip-mexico-costa-rica-lp5022013

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/hugo-chavez-his-legacy-lp3082013

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/cuban-visa-reforms-obama-latin-america-agenda-lp1182013

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/telenovela-special-lp11162012


“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.
www.american.edu/soc/
www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm


Anniversary II: Awesome Answers & Outstanding Out-Takes (Lp9192013)

This week, "Latin Pulse" shines a light on the situation for the media in Latin America and threats to free speech. The program looks at how indigenous groups in Guatemala are disenfranchised when it comes to running public media outlets. Also, the program includes a discussion about current state threats to free media and how media outlets are often now seen as replacing opposition parties in some parts of the region. The news segment of the program covers the speech of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff at the United Nations and how she condemned the United States for its espionage programs.


The program includes interviews with:
John Dinges of Columbia University; and
Mark Camp of Cultural Survival.


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.


The photo is from the International Center for Journalists and is used here with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21531040@N07/3343687965/in/photolist-66tgWv-5XRrvQ-4SvEp-7aFc1a-bCGyph-9tZnkr-8Dva2d-6ixqj7-4EaREo-cDf9zG-cDfbfY-cDfa4u-cDfaQ7-cDf9Zo-cDf9CG-cDfbz9-cDfa7d-cDfapU-cDfaaj-cDfbe7-cDfbam-cDf9Sh-cDf9nG-cDf9Us-cDfay3-cDfanq-cDfaUJ-cDfbry-cDfb59-cDf9do-cDfaiu-cDfaBb-cDfbBj-cDf9rY-cDfafN-cDf9Jh-cDfbuY-cDfaK9-f6Ro1-cDfzVd-cDfAkS-cDfB4h-cDfAuJ-cDfARJ-cDfAPN-cDfzT3-cDfAgh-cDfB6Q-cDfBhU-cDfAHu-cDfA3A


“Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is affiliated with the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), and Link TV.
www.american.edu/soc/
www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm


Free Speech in Latin America & Guatemala's Indigenous Radio Issue (lp9262013)

The violent protests that have rocked Venezuela this month provide the central theme this week on Latin Pulse.  The program analyzes the politics of both the opposition and the government of President Nicolas Maduro.  In reflection, the program also looks at the legacy of the late President Hugo Chavez who died almost a year ago. The news segment of the program covers the latest in the Drug War in Mexico with the capture of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the head of the Sinaloa Cartel. The program also includes a commentary about telenovelas and machismo.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


David Smilde of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and the University of Georgia; and
Julia Buxton of Central European University.


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Repoter: Zach Cohen; and
Associate Producer: Rae Daniel.
The photo is by Marquinam via Flickr, using a Creative Commons License: https://www.flickr.com/photos/7665303@N02/12683579385/in/photolist-kjNEgc

“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


Venezuela: Discussing the Protest Movement & Memorializing Chavez (Lp2282014)

Issues of democratization in Venezuela and Cuba provide the central themes this week on Latin Pulse.  The controversy over whether the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) overstepped its proper functions by sponsoring a secret communications program in Cuba provides one of this week's debatable topics.  Latin Pulse also interviews one of the key leaders of Venezuela's protest movement and debates whether that movement represents free speech or an anti-democratic method to seize power. This week's commentary reviews a landmark case of lesbian rights in Chile and how that might be applied to an upcoming case in the Dominican Republic.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Phil Brenner of American University; and
Rodrigo Diamanti of El Mundo Sin Mordaza.  


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

The photo is by Torsten Bangerter via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tbangerter/13553513954/sizes/z/in/photolist-mDFiv5-kmX6x5-kruvGF-kmS1i6-kmQP4g-kmrZaV-kSgJLy-kSgGyC-kSeYcM-kSeZSv-kSgM8Y-ku18eU-ktXEVg-6ausJ5-6ausnd-6auqhS-6aqihV-6aur8A-6auqDA-6auru3-6aqiuc-6aqhkr-6ausx7-6aqjDx-6aut9G-6aqgt4-6ausWE-6auquj-6aqi9c-6aurFo-6aqh9i-6aurj9-kRoDFA-kRoPUw-kRmN6g-kRp5ud-kRn5Ce-kRnzuR-kRnHr2-kRmLwV-kRnph6-kRoF8d-kRp4s3-kRmKnk-kRnUQV-kRn4xi-kRmVFr-kRnKs6-kRn2Sp-kRnr2Z-kRnAJK/

“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


Cuba & Venezuela: Issues of Free Speech and Democratization (Lp4112014)

This week, "Latin Pulse" covers a variety of topics, including the crackdown on the protest movement in Venezuela and corruption tainting police in El Salvador.  The segment on Venezuela reviews the opinions of one of the leaders of the opposition protest movement who has also been influential with the country's student protestors too.  The Salvadoran segment traces the history of the national police and how criminal organizations infiltrated the police during the past generation.  The news segment of the program covers the visit of Uruguay's President Jose "Pepe" Mujica to Washington, D.C. and his discussion of health issues and human rights.  The program also includes a commentary on the failure of marriage equality in Colombia.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Rodrigo Diamanti of El Mundo Sin Mordaza; and
Hector Silva of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS). 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and 
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.


The photo is by Marquinam via Flickr using a Creative Commons license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marquinam/13155160395/


“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



Cracking Down on Protests in Venezuela & Police Corruption in El Salvador (Lp5162014)

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)

This week before heading out on an extended summer break, Latin Pulse provides a 90-minute summer special filled with emotion and information.  The in-depth segments include an update on the protest movement in Venezuela, an examination of Brazilian national identity and the World Cup, an update on immigration issues in Mexico, and an analysis of the Panama Canal as it celebrates 100 years of operation.  Also, included: a commentary on women and the World Cup.  The program also includes a special interview with the U.S. ambassador to Honduras.  The news segment deals with coca and the Drug War.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Ambassador Lisa Kubiske, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras; 
Sonja Wolf of Mexico's INSYDE; and 
Julie Greene of the University of Maryland.


Additional interviews include: 

Hermann Escarrá of Universidad Central de Venezuela; 
Javier Ciurlizza of the International Crisis Group; 
Mark Weisbrot of the Center for Economic & Policy Research (CEPR); 
Carlos Lauria of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); 
Rachel Glickhouse, writer; 
Julia Michaels, writer; and
Roberto DaMatta, University of Notre Dame;  


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml; and
Reporter: Elyssa Pachico.


The photo is by Carlos Diaz of Venezuela via Flickr using a Creative Commons license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlosdiazme/13977683128/


Special: Protesting in Venezuela; Celebrating in Brazil & the U.S. View from Tegucigalpa (Lp6272014)

This week, "Latin Pulse" returns in a new format after its summer hiatus.  The program focuses on Brazil.  One of the in-depth segments look at the presidential election race and how it has heated up with a change of candidates.  The segment discusses the political issues involved and how the entrance of Socialist candidate Marina Silva has changed the election competition.  The program includes a segment about threats to free speech in Brazil, including discussion of why Brazil is on the Committee to Protect Journalist's list of dangerous countries.  The news segment deals with a new economic plan for Venezuela.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Matt Taylor of American University; and
Carlos Lauria of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

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

The photo shows Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff and former President Luiz Inacio Lula ("Lula") da Silva campaigning for the Workers Party.  The photo is from the election campaign of President Dilma Rousseff and is in the public domain.

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

Brazil: Presidential Elections & Threats to Free Speech (Lp9052014)

This week, Latin Pulse looks at the historic decision of the United States and Cuba to normalize diplomatic relations.  After more than a half-century of tensions and embargoes, the next steps for Cuba are the central focus of this program.  The program also includes analysis of the human rights situation in the country and debates the effectiveness of democracy-building programs initiated by the United States.  The news segment of the program looks at the onset of recession in Venezuela and the reaction of the government to the economic problems.

The program includes an in-depth interview with:

Eric Hershberg of American University's Center for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS); and
Phil Peters of the Cuba Resource Center. 
 
Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Associate Producer: Gabriela Canchola.

The photo of Cuba’s President Raul Castro making a television address about the diplomatic changes is from the Cuban government and is in the public domain.

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


Cuba: The Historic Diplomatic Opening & Human Rights (Lp1022015)

The tensions within U.S. policy toward Cuba provide the main focus on Latin Pulse this week. The program analyzes how domestic politics in the United States continue to have an effect on the diplomatic changes in Cuba.  The program also focuses on the continuation of controversial democracy building programs from USAID, aimed at Cuba. The news segment of the program looks at the complex case in Argentina linking the country's spy agency and the murder of a special prosecutor.  The program covers the surprise reaction of the country's president this week.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Eric Hershberg, director of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS); and 
Sujatha Fernandes of the City University of New York (CUNY).

 Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Production Assistant: Gabriela Canchola.

The graphic is from the Cuban government and is in the public domain.

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


Cuba: The Politics of Diplomatic Change & USAID's Cuban Rap Strategy (Lp1302015)

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)

Heated elections in Venezuela draw a special focus this week on "Latin Pulse." With voters headed to the polls on Sunday, Oct. 7 the program features two in-depth interview that take a look at both politics and media policy in Venezuela.  The program includes coverage of the latest polls and how credible they might be in a country where polling agencies are as polarized as the political landscape.  The news segment of the program covers the announcement this week that Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos has cancer.  The program also features a commentary on Mexico's soon-to-be-installed government.

In-depth interviews include:
Carlos Lauria, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ);
and 
Alex Main, the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine 
Writer: Colin Campbell.

The photo of Henrique Capriles Radonski and Hugo Chavez is from Venezuela’s Globovision and is used here via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license: http://www.flickr.com/photos/globovision/7440374402/


The Venezuelan Elections (Lp10052012)

"Latin Pulse" this week takes a close look at politics and elections in Ecuador, with presidential elections coming in that South American country in February of 2013. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa is far ahead in most polls, but does he face any real political or policy challenges?  The program attempts to answer that question while also looking at Correa's inconsistent record regarding free speech.  Both the news segment of the program and a commentary focus on the renewed health concerns regarding President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.

In-depth interviews include:

Rob Albro of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University;
and
Luis Botello of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine 

The photo of President Rafael Correa of Ecuador is from the Ecuadoran government and is in the public domain.

Ecuador: Politics, Elections & Free Speech (Lp12142012)

This week, "Latin Pulse" returns to the topic of telenovelas. The program explores the cultural aspects of this popular television form and discusses the advances of that form as propelled by television writers and producers in Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil.  The program also explores how telenovelas have been used as metaphorical political commentary, especially in Venezuela and Brazil.  The news segment of the program covers how Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was elevated to pope, replacing Pope Benedict XVI, and became the first pope from Latin America.
The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Antonio La Pastina of Texas A&M University; and  
Carolina Acosta-Alzuru of the University of Georgia.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Alexia Campbell.

The image is from Colombia’s RCN television network and its promotional campaign for “Café con Aroma de Mujer;” use of the image follows fair use guidelines.

A full listing of songs used in the production of this special can be found here: https://www.box.com/shared/static/7kev9t4thmb9vace3mba.pdf

The first program in the series on telenovelas can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/telenovela-special-lp11162012




The Best Telenovelas (Lp3152013)

Freedom and democracy are key themes this week on "Latin Pulse." The struggle for freedom in Cuba is the subject of an in-depth report that looks at how dissidents are using the internet and technology to oppose the government of Raul Castro. Advances in democracy underline the discussion of elections and politics in Chile.  The program looks at the political scene there after the primary win of former President Michelle Bachelet, as she attempts to return to power.  The news segment covers the latest diplomatic maneuvers in Latin America regarding Edward Snowden who revealed the depth of NSA domestic spying.  The program also includes a commentary on the protest movement in Brazil.
The program includes an in-depth interview with:

Lois Hecht Oppenheim of American Jewish University.

The program also includes interviews with: 

Ted Henken of Baruch College of City University of New York;
Antonio Rodiles of Estado de SATS; and
Mary Long of the University of Colorado.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

The photo of former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet celebrating with her campaign staff is from her presidential campaign and is in the public domain.


Reviewing the Primaries in Chile & Cuban Dissidents on the Net (Lp7032013)

“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.  

Free Speech & Censorship

LatinPulse