The Latin American Critical Tradition of Communication Research and the Early Years of Participation in IAMCR, 1960–1990

In this chapter, the late Rafael Roncagliolo, together with Eduardo Villanueva-Mansilla, reflect on the early years of engagement with communication research in Peru and Latin America and scholarly connections with IAMCR and UNESCO. Among many contributions, the chapter highlights the influence of the semiotic tradition, the treatment of media as a force for social advancement, and an emphasis on political activism during times of political and social upheavals in the region, and how this influenced the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) process taking place at the time in UNESCO.