From the Politics of Anonymity to the Introduction of Signatures: The Role of Political Columnists in Mass Media During Argentina's Transition and Democratic Restoration in the 1980s

Following the transition and democratic restoration in Argentina in 1983, mass media outlets had to adapt to the conditions of the newly established political regime. This article focuses on the editorial and commercial policies implemented by two leading newspapers, La Naci & oacute;n and Clar & iacute;n. To demonstrate pluralism and build loyalty among politically engaged audiences, these publications expanded their editorial sections and gradually introduced signed columns by journalists holding senior positions in the newsroom. Our working hypothesis is that this process led to the creation of an elite group of opinion makers, blending the power of editorial roles with the ability to express personal viewpoints. Consequently, the role of the columnist gained prominence, and the journalists who occupied this position began to assert greater autonomy by cultivating their own readerships. This shift contributed to the personalization of journalistic voice and opinion, where political journalists' perspectives complemented and simultaneously competed with the editorial stance of major media outlets.