(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 29 November 2004 IAPA press release: IAPA concerned over proposed reforms to Radio and Television Law, says they constitute a threat to freedom of expression Miami (29 November 2004) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has expressed concern over moves to reform Mexico’s Radio and Television Law. The […]
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 29 November 2004 IAPA press release:
IAPA concerned over proposed reforms to Radio and Television Law, says they constitute a threat to freedom of expression
Miami (29 November 2004) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has expressed concern over moves to reform Mexico’s Radio and Television Law. The organisation believes that the proposed reforms constitute a threat to freedom of expression and could lead to censorship.
In a letter sent by IAPA’s president, Alejandro Miró Quesada Cisneros, to the Mexico Senate chair, Diego Fernández de Cevallos, the organisation warned that several of the articles being discussed could affect the development of media outlets.
Mexico’s Senate began debating the reforms on 24 November. The objective of the proposed amendments is to update the law, which dates back to 1960 and is considered obsolete. A decision on the reforms is expected in early December.
In the letter to Fernández de Cevallos, the IAPA noted that Article 5 of the law states that “in order to fulfill their social function, radio and television service providers should . . . provide information in a manner that is objective, clear, complete, truthful, plural and appropriate”. The organisation noted that although the intent of this provision is commendable, given the extensive ability of the proposed National Radio and Television Council (Consejo Nacional de Radio y Televisión) to make rulings on a discretional basis, this article could be used to censor and penalise media outlets.
In addition, the IAPA said a stipulation that the proposed council would be responsible for authorising “the programming structure” of every radio and television station, including news programming, represents a serious setback for the development of media outlets and the work of journalists at those media outlets. The organisation also expressed concern over what it considers to be excessive financial penalties for those who contravene the law, as well as the fact that radio and television station shareholders, directors or employees are prevented from being members of the council and have to wait two years from the time they cease to be involved with a media outlet before they may join the council.
For all of the above reasons, the IAPA believes that the proposed amendments could affect the development of radio and television stations in Mexico and that these types of reforms could eventually be extended to include the print media. The organisation called upon Fernández de Cevallos to ensure that that the proposed amendments are subjected to close scrutiny with respect to how they may affect radio and television programming content.