The Pink Tide

Reviews / Votes

Lee Artz has collected in The Pink Tide important, thought-provoking, and diverse communications experiences of Latin American Left governments, societies and social movements that set different initiatives to contain neoliberal policies. This book gives us a valuable insight into de-commodified communications policies and practices across five South American countries and two regional overviews. -- Rodrigo Gomez, Professor, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Mexico The role of politics and the media in Latin America is often disregarded in Western debates. Given that the Left in Latin American politics in general is stronger than in Europe and North America, one can learn important lessons by engaging with this part of the world. 'Pink Tide: Media Access and Political Power in Latin America' is an excellent collection that sheds light on this blindspot. It is a must-read introduction to the role of participatory democracy and public access media in Latin America. One of its strengths is that it both presents general analyses as well as six country studies. -- Christian Fuchs, Professor, University of Westminster An important work for those interested in different perspectives that explain the strengths, contradictions and retreat of the pink tide in Latin America amid the return of "neoliberalism", the rise of extreme right wing forces and the disillusionment with democracy. Chapters examine media power, the left/right dichotomy, media policies and public access media, investing in the possibility of a renewal of social democracy and progressive forces for social change throughout the continent. -- Carolina Matos, City, University of London This is an important book for anyone who wants to understand the impact of the media in Latin American politics. The book also offers an excellent explanation of the role participation, civil society, ideology, populism and power in Latin America. -- Natasha Erzow, Senior Lecturer, International Development Program, Department of Government, University of Essex This volume is an excellent critical and thought provoking analysis of the media reforms of the Pink Tide governments of Latin America - essential reading for all those interested in media control and people's rights to participate in all aspects of communication. Highly recommended. -- Peter Ross, Senior Lecturer in Spanish and Latin American Studies, University of New South Wales, Sydney