The Media, the Dictatorship, and the Crisis of Chilean Journalism

 By Rodolfo Varela

In Chile, to speak about journalism is to speak about memory, power, and citizenship. And also about a profound crisis that is not merely technical or economic, but ethical and structural.

Press and society in Chile

Journalism is going through one of its darkest times. Digital transformation, job insecurity, declining influence in the face of social media, and media ownership concentrated in the hands of major economic groups—many of them foreign—have severely eroded its credibility. But it would be a mistake to attribute this crisis solely to technological or market forces. In Chile, there is a deeper, more uncomfortable, and less discussed cause: the historical complicity of traditional media with the civic-military dictatorship of Pinochet, and its alliance with the country’s economic and political powers.

During the darkest years of authoritarianism, many media outlets remained silent, distorted reality, or outright legitimized the horror. Today, some of those same outlets attempt to speak of democracy, human rights, and justice, without having made an honest self-critique about their role in the past. The legacy of that silence comes at a high price: public distrust, professional disrepute, and a deep legitimacy crisis that even affects the media that do practice ethical and committed journalism.

A Fragmented Map of Public Trust

Public trust in the Chilean media today is full of contradictions. Radio continues to be the most trusted medium: around 70% of Chileans express confidence in it, according to data from Cadem. This is no coincidence. Radio has historically been a refuge for citizen voices, a space for local information, and often, a channel of resistance and dignity.

           Sergio Campos                     Miguel Ángel San Martín                  Luis Hernan Schwaner

A clear example of this was the dedication of prominent journalists who made history. From the microphones of Radio Corporación CB-114, figures such as Sergio Campos, Miguel Ángel San Martín, and Luis Hernán Schwaner reported with courage, professionalism, and a deep sense of social responsibility. They stood on the side of truth and the people, at a time when doing so was truly dangerous. Their example remains an inspiration for future generations.

Television, on the other hand, is losing ground. While it still holds some influence—especially paid television—its credibility is eroded by empty content, entertainment disguised as news, and a logic of spectacle that has replaced serious journalism. Morning shows are the clearest example of this trivialization: programs that entertain, but don’t inform, and often insult the public’s intelligence.

Print media, once a symbol of critical thinking, is now suffering from declining readership and trust. Papers like El Mercurio and La Tercera, historically aligned with those in power, have seen increasing skepticism toward their editorial lines. Meanwhile, digital media are growing but with fragmented trust: many citizens consume them, but question their reliability in a landscape dominated by fake news and unchecked disinformation.

Ownership Concentration, Power, and Complicit Silences

One of the most worrying aspects of Chile’s media ecosystem is the high concentration of ownership. A handful of conglomerates—many with foreign capital—control much of the press, television, and radio. This concentration not only threatens media pluralism but also restricts citizens' right to truthful and independent information.

This is not to say that all media outlets serve economic interests, but we must recognize that press freedom cannot be reduced to a corporate right. It is, above all, a citizen right to quality, diverse, and ethical information.

The Urgent Need for a New Media Pact

Chile urgently needs a new media pact. One that guarantees information pluralism, promotes community and regional media, and strengthens journalistic independence from economic and political powers. We need a media law that prevents ownership concentration, ensures equitable access to public advertising funds, and protects journalists from labor precarization.

But above all, we need memory. Because there is no way to build dignified journalism without confronting past responsibilities. As long as many media outlets refuse to acknowledge the roles they played during the dictatorship—as active accomplices or silent enablers—we will continue to carry an ethical debt to the people.

Chilean journalism must reinvent itself—not through technology alone, but through truth, justice, and a sense of historical responsibility.

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