Media in Bolivia seems to be at the losing end of an ongoing battle between media and the government of Bolivia. IMS report recommends immediate action for change

Much hope for better times was attached to the electoral victory of Evo Morales who took office as Bolivia's first indigenous president in 2005. After years of turmoil, the country saw some stability during the first semester of his presidency. But along with the implementation of the President's policies, the President grew increasingly unpopular with the media.

As the President decided to fight the bad publicity in public through the media, this marked the beginning of a battle which continues even today. Surprisingly, perhaps, the quarrel seems to seriously hurt the credibility and the prestige of the media among the general public, concludes the report "Media and conflict in Bolivia: Fostering a constructive role for the media in a situation of vulnerable governability", published by IMS in March2007.

The report is based on an IMS mission to Bolivia in the fall of 2006, during which IMS together with media practitioners, media owners, civil society as well as government officials in Bolivia mapped out the Bolivian media sector and assessed the situation and offered a set of recommendations.

Audiences lose faith in the media

According to the report, Bolivia is experiencing a historic moment of great importance, which calls for mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue about the development of the country. Instead different perspectives and world-views are clashing within the same public space.

Paradoxically, all the indicators of a vibrant and participatory democracy seem to be in place in Bolivia with a media sector characterized by a multiplicity of media outlets around the country. In reality, however, the media have serious problems in serving as an inclusive civic forum, states the report:

" A large part of the media have taken on a bias and have assumed editorial approaches which, rather than benefiting the citizen, have pressured him or her to favor one of the parties involved in the conflict."

This unhealthy state of the media affects not only the general opinion about the media but more importantly, it seriously impairs the formation of public opinion, the report warns. If the average Bolivian citizen is receiving deficient information, he or she is prevented from acquiring an adequate understanding of the strategic and sensitive topics at stake in the development of Bolivia.

Return to professional standards

According to the report, the problems are, in part, attributed to a widespread tendency to sensationalism, ethnic or political bias as well as unethical working habits of journalists. Furthermore, lack of financial sustainability makes media vulnerable and susceptible to manipulation. 

The report therefore calls upon the media sector as a whole to shape up and to return to professional standards. Bolivia is one of the countries with the highest proportion of media per capita in the world, so in principle there is an enormous diversity of voices and opinions.

As a means to contribute to building a more constructive role for media, the report recommends focus on four areas:

Advocate for changes in the legal framework

Spaces for debate and reflection

Strengthening the quality of journalism

Protection for journalists

With the report, International Media Support is offering to engage with Bolivian media actors to support a process of taking new steps as well as to strengthening existing activities in Bolivia in close collaboration with institutions and actors that are already working in this field.

IMS is, among others, supporting a newly established media organization,Pondera, in developing a strategy and pilot projects to enhance the skills among journalists to cover conflict related issues.