Blackwell Reference Online

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TeleSur is a multinational → television initiative launched in July 2005 and spearheaded by the government of Venezuela, in cooperation with three other Latin American states – Argentina, Cuba, and Uruguay (→ Argentina: Media System ; Cuba: Media System ; International Television ). The channel presents itself as “the new television of the south,” with a direct emphasis on the word “sur” (south), which is defined in their mission statement as “a geopolitical concept promoting people's struggles towards peace, self-determination, respect for human rights, and social justice.” While there are some undeniably innovative aspects to this project, its central objectives correspond to old and traditionally unfulfilled political aspirations for Latin American regional integration on the one hand, and for providing alternatives to what some see as hegemonic ideologies of cultural imperialism on the other (→ Cultural Imperialism Theories ). This orientation is openly reflected in one of the channel's slogans, often seen on the screen in promotional spots between programs: “Seeing each other we get to know each other, knowing each other we get to respect each other, respecting each other we learn to love each other, and loving each other is the first step toward integration.” The specific motivations behind TeleSur's formation, beyond the rather general political ideals outlined above, ... log in or subscribe to read full text