Imprensa e poder em tempos de Segurança Nacional : Cáceres-MT (1969-1984)

Abstract

In the period after the Second World War, the world was divided into two large antagonistic blocs, led by the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In this division, Brazil had been inextricably linked to the USA. The 1964 coup was a direct result of these choices. Among the various institutions of power that supported the military in the deposition of the President João Goulart, the press performed an important role. However, many of the newspapers that supported the coup and the early years of the regime began to question the actions of the military, claiming the return of democracy. On the other hand, the hardest years of the dictatorship were also those in which the country had a greater economic growing. In Mato Grosso, governmental actions, in order to expand the agricultural frontier and integrate the country, resulted in the construction of new roads, connecting Cuiabá to the other cities in the State. In the city of Cáceres, as provided for the Law number 5449 of June 4, 1968, the city had been declared as National Security interest. To try to ensure a garrisoned border against external and internal threats, and a developed city, orderly, disciplined and far from the "communist threat", other institutions of power began to require changes in habits of the city dwellers aiming to maintain order and “good customs” and thus ensure the introduction of the municipality at a level of civilized city. Elements considered inappropriate to the civilizing project should be excluded. Among the instruments of civility, the press performed significant role in identifying the "good" and "bad" citizens enclosing them in specific territories and boundaries and, thus, establishing better control over the social practices. This work aims to analyze the various discursive practices present in the newspapers of the city between the years of 1969 to 1984.