Venezuela volatility threatens Latin American Telesur

Subject

The future of Telesur.

Significance

Eleven years after its 2005 launch, regional media network Telesur, sponsored by late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, has lost founder member Argentina. President Mauricio Macri's decision to withdraw is part of a wider shake-up of the domestic media landscape, but ministers also cited a lack of input into Telesur's running. This is borne out by evidence from within the company, where even high-profile supporters decry Venezuelan dominance despite collective ownership.

Impacts

• Venezuela-centrism has negative editorial, financial and administrative effects while leaving Telesur dependent on one volatile state.
• However, Telesur will continue on this trajectory until economic and political upheaval leads to a change in government.
• The increasingly political role of private media in Latin America will sustain the dream of state-backed regional media.
• A long-term backlash could potentially bring further legislative changes on media ownership.