(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is a 16 September 2002 AMARC press release highlighting a campaign for international support: Montevideo, 16 September 2002 The regulatory body for communications in Uruguay, URSEC (Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones), has given the public the opportunity to comment on a draft bill until 27 September. The bill proposes to […]
(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is a 16 September 2002 AMARC press release highlighting a campaign for international support:
Montevideo, 16 September 2002
The regulatory body for communications in Uruguay, URSEC (Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones), has given the public the opportunity to comment on a draft bill until 27 September. The bill proposes to limit community radio broadcasting to a 1.5 km radius and establishes prison sentences as punishment for those who transmit without authorisation.
AMARC-Uruguay (a member of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, which is made up of 20 community radio stations) recognises that the Uruguayan government has opted to regulate community stations, instead of continuing to repress them individually. However, they consider this initiative “unacceptable” because “it does not solve the problem and in fact it aggravates it,” said Mauricio de los Santos, a representative in Uruguay.
According to AMARC, there are four fundamental aspects of the draft law, entitled “Small Range Broadcasting Frequencies Service”, that are unacceptable.
1 – Limited transmission. The law intends to limit the broadcasting zone to maximum of 1.5 km.
2 – Broadcasting frequencies would not be given to community radio stations that are already broadcasting (the same radio stations that the government had recognised in past discussion prior to draft bill).
3 – Frequencies will continue to be awarded on a discretional basis. URSEC’s proposal not only maintains the current system but also gives the executive absolute power over the granting of frequencies.
4 – Punishment. The draft bill proposes up to two years’ imprisonment for those who broadcast without authorisation.
The draft bill can be found at www.ursec.gub.uy. It asks that “lay people or lawyers, nationals or foreigners, express their views and make suggestions with respect to the proposed Small Range Broadcasting Frequencies Service and the University Broadcasting Frequencies Service.” AMARC calls on individuals to use URSEC’s tool to express their opinions.
Recommended actions:
Send letters to URSEC (before 27 September) stating:
– that the issues raised by AMARC should be addressed because the only way to find a definitive solution to the community radio station situation is to engage in a dialogue and to update the laws regarding radio frequencies to ensure that they are in line with national and international human rights standards;
– that repressive measures, such as raids, against Uruguyan community radio stations must be stopped;
– that this draft law should be rejected and another proposal be created to permit equal radio frequency access to all, using transparent mechanisms that are not discretionary nor discriminatory;
– that a Roundtable must be established that includes a diverse and vast representation from stakeholders (radio organisations, civil society groups, universities, etc.) to develop a legal framework that is inclusive, and that this happen before a proposal is put forward to Parliament;
– that, in the meantime, community radio stations should be given experimental or provisional permits.
Send appeals to:
Dr. Fernando Pérez Tabo
URSEC President
Av. Uruguay 988, planta baja
Montevideo, Uruguay
E-mail: forobajapotencia@ursec.gub.uy
fax: + 5982 900 8378
Please send copies to:
Mauricio de los Santos
AMARC-Uruguay Representative
E-mail: mauric75@adinet.com.uy
