In March 2020, Jorge Elías Pereyra, a gaucho living in a remote sheepherding outpost on the coast of Península Valdés, Argentina, turned on his radio to listen to a program called "Mensajes al Poblador Rural". This program broadcasts personal messages for residents in sparsely populated regions, allowing them to communicate with family and friends. Pereyra, who lived alone and had no internet or cellphone service, relied on this radio program to hear updates from his family, who worked on ranches across the area.
The program features messages sent to radio stations via phone calls or handwritten notes, which are then read aloud. During the pandemic, these messages became a vital link for rural residents, who often live far from each other. The messages can include updates on family health, lost items, and general greetings.
The tradition of using radio for personal communication in Argentina began in the late 1930s and has persisted due to the country's low population density and the geographical challenges of communication. Many rural residents have limited access to other forms of communication, making radio a crucial medium.
Historically, radio stations in Argentina have aired these "radio letters" to connect isolated communities. The practice has evolved over time, with stations establishing programs to cater to the needs of rural listeners. The format remains consistent: messages are submitted to the station and read on air, often using coded language to convey sensitive information.
The significance of these broadcasts was highlighted during the Falklands War in 1982, when a message intended for a naval captain was relayed through a Mensajero Rural, demonstrating the potential life-saving impact of this communication method. Today, the tradition continues, with residents using radio to maintain connections and share important news.