National communication policies in Latin America: a glance at the first steps

Abstract

This essay is an account of the initial phase of the process through which national communication policies are being fostered in Latin America. It examines the concept of these policies and their importance for developing countries, reviews inter-American coordination efforts—mainly among Andean countries—and presents an overview of the experiences of Peru, Venezuela, and Brazil, which have made significant advancements toward the formulation and implementation of national communication policies. The essay also reviews the international promotion of the initiative, largely driven by UNESCO through several expert meetings, and discusses the outlook for the near future.