Media, Violence and Terrorism in Latin America

The purpose of this report is to provide a summary and a critical analysis of the academic studies and publications on media, violence and terrorism in Latin America between 1998 and 2001. There were two methodological considerations for selecting and reviewing the texts presented in this report. First, different reference sources in the region were consulted and information was sought from research centers specialized in communication. The Red Iberoamericana de Revistas de Comunicación (Ibero- American Network of Communication Journals) was consulted as were the annalsof national and regional symposia organized by FELAFACS, the Federación Latinoamericana de Facultades y Escuelas de Comunicación, (Latin American Federation of Communication Faculties and Schools); ALAIC, the Asociación Latinoamericana de Investigadores de la Comunicación (Latin American Association of Communication Re searchers); and by the different national communication associations.

Secondly, the selection of works was done based on academic criteria. The search was limited to studies and publications that contained: a conceptual, even if brief, approach to the topic; an expository methodology; a bibliography; and other characteristics of academic works. The sample included partial and complete reports on research projects, and theoretical essays supported by empirical knowledge, all taken from annals of national and international congresses; books; academic journals; and communication research centers’ web pages, among other reference sources. We hope this report is useful for those people and institutions involved in media production, education and research, and in the design of policies concerning media and violence in Latin America.