The Argentinian Junta and the Press in the Run-up to the 1978 World Cup

Abstract

This analysis of the Argentine military junta's approach to media relations in the two years preceding the 1978 World Cup is based primarily upon newspaper articles, supplemented by selected secondary studies. It is widely acknowledged that the military government sought to use the World Cup, which it hosted, for foreign and domestic aims. Key to this was developing an effective relationship with the press, particularly the print media, in order to present the appropriate image. This article represents only a small part of a larger study of the politicization of the 1978 World Cup.