Políticos

This weekend, Argentina will hold elections. As a journalism student, it's been very interesting to be here in an election period because of all of the propaganda. A major political problem in Argentina that does not exist in the United States is the relationship between the government and the press. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, the current president, owns or has a strong share in SIX of Argentina's newspapers, allowing the publication of not only positive articles about campaigns she supports, but also advertising space.

In addition to the surplus of biased media coverage and print advertisements, billboards and posters in the city are one of the most common ways of spreading news in Buenos Aires. Mauricio Macri, running for a 2nd term as the mayor of Buenos Aires, is all over the city and I cannot even begin to fathom how much money is spent on this campaign. Large banners are posted at crosswalks every weekend, and free gifts and pamphlets are distributed by volunteers at the Subway stations and on the streets.

Before gender seminar the other day, Carolina told us about a research study she performed where she found that in Argentina, government funds spent on advertising for campaigns and elections have risen 1,300 PERCENT. As a freelancer, Carolina pursues various projects around her interests, and knows how to have an effect on the system. "I will get in trouble in Argentina, so I will publish it in the States," she said. Smart woman. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's government seems to be based on Peronism, the government established by Juan & Eva Perón (Evita). The Perons' had a lot of media control as well, so it was only obvious that the Kirchner government would follow their lead. Can you imagine reading one-sided news every day?

Voting is mandatory in Argentina, therefore elections seem to be on the weekends when people don't have to work. In Iguazú, elections were on a Sunday. It also seems to be a pretty discussable topic. The main boss at my internship jokingly asked me who I was voting for as I walked in. I explained how we have only really learned about Cristina and support for her because that's what Carolina thinks, so that's what she teaches us. He explained a little bit about the candidates, and then proceeded to say, "Yeah, Martín [another coworker] is voting for Mauricio. Screw him." Part of me was shocked that he was so open about announcing this perceived negative news to the entire office, but knowing the environment of my office, I wasn't too surprised.

I'm going out of town this weekend and will definitely be sharing election news upon arrival! Will Mauricio's intense advertisements win the people over? Will the 1300 percent increase in government spending on advertisement help Cristina? Stay posted to find out!