The Hindu : International / Globescan : Pan-Latin American TV channel

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Tuesday, Jul 05, 2005

International

International - Globescan

Pan-Latin American TV channel

London: Depending on whom you ask, South America's newest TV channel is either a much-needed corrective to a U.S.-focused news agenda, or a Trojan horse to spread Left-wing propaganda throughout the region. Telesur is a pan-Latin American news channel based in Caracas, Venezuela. Test transmissions started in May, and by the end of July the channel will be broadcasting news and current affairs programming 24 hours a day, says the channel's director Aram Aharonian. The idea, he says, is to reflect the disparate cultures of Latin America, and provide an alternative to the U.S. perspective on world events. ``Today, we know much more about Chechnya than Colombia or Central America, because all the information that the North generates focuses on subjects that interest the North,'' he says. ``We want to show Latin America through Latin American eyes.'' Staffed by journalists from across the continent, Telesur plans to open bureaux in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba and Washington. One of its main news readers will be an indigenous Colombian woman, who will appear on camera in her tribe's traditional costume. offering a uniquely Latin point of view, Telesur aims to rival Spanish language news channels based outside the region, such as CNN Espanol or Spain's TFE. The channel is supported by the Governments of Argentina, Uruguay and Cuba, but the main backer is Venezuela, with a 51 per cent share. Critics warn that Telesur will be used by the country's firebrand President Hugo Chavez to drown out hostile coverage at home and spread his populist, anti-American message throughout the region.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

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