Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
groups and whites - representing each end of the economic scale - are least likely to
marry outside of their group.
Although Panama is a much more racially tolerant society than many other Latin
American countries, there is distrust among groups, particularly between indigenous
groups and mestizos. This stems largely from mestizo land grabs - by loggers, ranchers
and settlers - that have pushed indigenous communities off their lands. Indigenous com-
munities also view the government as corrupt and largely indifferent to their plight - to
some extent, they are in fact correct.
Class distinctions also persist. While politicians from the president on down take pride
in mingling with the public and maintaining some semblance of a classless society, the
rabiblancos
(whites) control the majority of the wealth and nearly all of the power. With-
in that group are several dozen wealthy families who are above the law - people able to
escape arrest by mentioning the names of others who could complicate life for a lowly
police officer.
Class divisions and racism exist in Panama. Members of a certain class marry only
members of that same class. And at the almighty Union Club (
the
social club of Panama
City), memberships are rarely given to people with dark skin.
Racism is abhorrent no matter where it's found, but racism in Panama is mild com-
pared to the brand found in many other countries. Panama has no counterpart to the Ku
Klux Klan and there are no skinheads committing hate crimes. For all its inequities,
Panama is closer to the ideal in this respect than most developed nations.
Media
Panama has a number of daily newspapers - ranging from sensationalist rags to astute in-
dependents. However, in Panama City, the most popular form of mass media is televi-
sion. Mainstream broadcast views tend to represent business and the oligarchy, which is
for the most part what urban viewers want to hear.
Outside the capital, however, radio is the most important medium. There are approx-
imately 90 radio stations on the dial, though most Panamanians have two or three favor-
ites - morning talk shows are particularly popular and represent a wide range of view-
points.
The Martinelli government has taken media criticism hard, even pursuing imprison-
ment and fines for journalists, for 'offending the honor' of a public figure. This is a leg-
acy of Noriega, who used such laws to suppress the voices of critics. International
human-rights and press- advocacy organizations have decried Panama as supporting one
of the most repressive regimes in the Americas because of the various 'gag laws' that
bureaucrats can use to stifle opposition.
