Walter Edgar's Journal

Journalist Robert Cox and the Newspaper That Published Dangerous Truths

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The distinctive white shawl protest graffiti of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo makes its mark in Bariloche's central square.
McKay Savage [CC BY 2.0] via Flickr
Robert Cox (with Maria Hinojosa, WGBH, Boston)
Credit Maria Hinojosa: One-on-One, WGBH, Boston

The Buenos Aires Herald ceased publication in July of 2017, almost 141 years after its founding. The paper became famous, however, only in the latter part of the 20th century, for exposing the forced disappearances of Argentinians during the 1976-83 military dictatorship. Other newspapers in the country whitewashed this chapter of Argentina’s history.

The English-language paper’s editor during this dangerous, violent period was British journalist Robert Cox. The Charleston resident joins Walter Edgar to talk about how and why he transformed his newspaper into one that risked seeking the truth at a time when that action could cost one’s life.

All Stations: Fri, Jan 19, 12 pm | News Stations: Sun, Jan 21, 4 pm

Related Link: Maria Hinojosa: One-on-One

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Dr. Walter Edgar has two programs on South Carolina Public Radio: Walter Edgar's Journal, and South Carolina from A to Z. Dr. Edgar received his B.A. degree from Davidson College in 1965 and his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1969. After two years in the army (including a tour of duty in Vietnam), he returned to USC as a post-doctoral fellow of the National Archives, assigned to the Papers of Henry Laurens.