Between laugh, common sense and dissent. Humor magazine as a controversial space (1978-1980)

Abstract

This paper deals on initial phase of argentine Humor magazine, between 1978 and 1980, during the military dictatorship period (1976-1983). Our text is focused on significative actores implied with the magazine. In that sense, we research the intervention of its public through reader’s letters section. Our goal was to analyze controversies in that section. We assert it was a useful space in restablishing broken social links resulting from state repression. In addition to this, the reader’s section was a way so Humor could evaluate the effects of contents offered to its public.The analysis let us detect two controversies developed about relevant public matters. The first one concerns horror representation, relating the jewish genocide (Shoah); the second one dealt with how comic cartoons depicts the Other in the shape of popular classes. Both controversies oblige Humor to state explicitly the values of its editorial project and also evidenced a notorious dissent between its readers. Our contribution is intended to bring complexity to an assumed vision that relates directly actors connected with Humor magazine with oposition to dictatorial government.