Wikileaks II: former Cabinet Chief's negotiations with Clarin's CEO over CFK coverage

By Sebastián Lacunza.-

After President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner officially launched her presidential campaign in the Argentino Theater in La Plata back in July 2007, then-US ambassador to Argentina Earl Anthony Wayne sent a confidential cable to Washington DC describing internal struggles within the Kirchnerite party and difficulties in the opposition.

The cable also transcribes part of Cristina’s speech.

At the time of describing media coverage of the event, the cable says it was “mostly positive.” 

It also says that, “according to a source close to the embassy, Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernández had contacted Clarin’s CEO Héctor Magnetto” in order to negotiate a more positive portrayal of the first lady’s speech.

“Clarín is Argentina’s largest newspaper and has a difficult relationship with the government, since it recently focused its attention on corruption scandals within the Executive branch,” the cable says.

“The same source indicated that the government was hoping for full coverage at the front page, but the death of beloved writer and humorist Roberto Fontanarrosa was given more space on the front page than Fernandez’s speech,” the document concludes.