(CENCOS/IFEX) – In a 12 September 2007 press release, CENCOS, AMARC, ARTICLE 19’s regional Mexico office and a number of other Mexican organisations released a joint declaration on the implications for freedom of expression of a current debate about the ability of political parties to buy advertising spots on radio and television. As part of […]
(CENCOS/IFEX) – In a 12 September 2007 press release, CENCOS, AMARC, ARTICLE 19’s regional Mexico office and a number of other Mexican organisations released a joint declaration on the implications for freedom of expression of a current debate about the ability of political parties to buy advertising spots on radio and television.
As part of a number of constitutional reforms, the Legislature is currently considering restricting this practice. If the measure is approved, the Federal Electoral Institute (Instituto Federal Electoral, IFE) would be the only body able to buy advertising space in the broadcast media in the lead up to elections.
CENCOS and the other signatories welcome this proposal and point to the need for improving the debate between political parties and their candidates and reducing the costs of electoral campaigns.
The organisations add that the majority of radio and television station license holders and news presenters represent business interests and not those of the public. They also stress that a number of changes to the media environment will be necessary to ensure that freedom of expression is enjoyed by all, and not just by certain interests.
To read the complete statement (in Spanish), with all signatories listed, see: http://cencos.org/es/node/16852
