How has mass communication evolved in Latin America? How has the political climate in that region shaped the role of the mass media? What are the special challenges facing this turbulent area? In Communication in Latin America, Richard Cole has assembled a selection of articles that explores these issues, with a special emphasis on journalism, given the traditional strength of the press in Latin America.

The twelve essayswritten exclusively for this publication - examine either an aspect of the mass media in the region or the media in a particular country during a number of stages of its political development.

Communication in Latin America opens with an overview of the state of mass communication in the entire region. Articles in the first part of the volume focus on topics such as the changing role of women in the media and the usefulness of propaganda in effecting political change. Essays in the second section discuss situations in individual countries, including freedom of the press in Mexico and Chile and the Argentine media's struggle to define their role under the new democratic government.

Professor Cole concludes with a forecast of the future of mass communication in Latin America.