The Jackpot

Law Student Victor Bernardo, 28, has been one of Argentina's most persistent radio quiz contestants, but in two years of trying, he has won only minor prizes. Last week he hit the jackpot.

Bernardo survived all other contestants on Radio El Mundo's Today We Have an Examination, a quiz program sponsored by a big Buenos Aires confectioner. To the 6,250-peso ($695) question, "What is a lararium?" Bernardo answered correctly: "The niche in a Roman house where the domestic gods were worshiped."

Then the jackpot winner had the chance at another question he had long and longingly anticipated. What, asked the announcer, did Bernardo plan to do with his money? Bernardo replied: "I intend to give the entire amount to the Social Aid Foundation ..." The announcer beamed. Everyone thought he obviously meant Evita Peron's richly endowed, much publicized Social Aid Foundation. But Bernardo continued, firmly and clearly: ". . . the Social Aid Foundation of the Socialist Party, of which I happen to be a member." Throwing caution to the winds, the audience burst into cheers.

As Bernardo's words became the talk of Argentina, the embarrassed government silenced Radio El Mundo for 24 hours, suspended its hapless announcer. "To make fun of people's ignorance and to exploit their confusion," warned the Ministry of Communications, ". . . is not in keeping with the educational, artistic or cultural aims of the nation." Henceforth, it was decreed, all radio programs in which the public would have access to the microphone are banned.

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