(IPYS/IFEX) – On 22 June 2004, executives of the Lima-based National Radio and Television Society (Sociedad Nacional de Radio y Televisión, SNRTV) condemned a proposed Radio and Television Law and said they would pursue all legal avenues available to them to prevent Congress from implementing the law. The SNRTV executive said Articles 75 and 76 […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 22 June 2004, executives of the Lima-based National Radio and Television Society (Sociedad Nacional de Radio y Televisión, SNRTV) condemned a proposed Radio and Television Law and said they would pursue all legal avenues available to them to prevent Congress from implementing the law.
The SNRTV executive said Articles 75 and 76 of the proposed law, referring to media outlets’ codes of ethics, are an attack on freedom of expression and the press. The SNRTV believes codes of ethics should be adopted voluntarily and not be imposed by law.
Article 76 of the law stipulates that a media outlet must follow certain codes of ethics or risk sanctions. A consultative council is to be charged with ensuring compliance with the article. The SNRTV expressed concern that the council will be headed by a Transportation and Communications Ministry official, in other words, an individual closely linked to the government in power. Moreover, media outlets could potentially lose their licence for violating Article 76.
The SNRTV also voiced concern about the passing of a law that would regulate the content of programming. The organisation intends to file a complaint before the Constitutional Tribunal to ensure that the law, which has been debated for three years, is not passed.
