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Alert

Senate postpones debate on much-criticised radio and television law amendments

(AMARC/IFEX) - On 13 December 2005, the coordinators of the parliamentary political blocks and the coordinating body of the Senate decided to postpone the detailed discussion of the Federal Radio and Television Law amendments proposed by the Chamber of Representatives until the next ordinary period of Senate sessions, scheduled to begin in February 2006. This decision was [in part] prompted by the numerous criticisms of the amendments voiced by experts, civil society organizations, the Federal Competition Commission and even many private owners of the local and regional radio stations.

According to the publication "Etcétera", it was decided that "more analysis is required, and that during the time between the sessions, consultations will be carried out to further clarify the proposals."

The Mexican branch of AMARC has welcomed the Senate decision as a serious and responsible one, "on a matter of unquestionable importance for our country and for the democratic process to which so many sectors of our society have gone to great efforts to make contributions."

AMARC announced that it "will continue to follow developments on the matter, and is willing to make any contribution necessary so that the commissions' work will result in a bill that takes all sectors into consideration, guaranteeing the best conditions possible for responsible radio broadcasting with a social perspective that acknowledges inequalities, guarantees that citizens will be able to fully exercise their rights and establishes the conditions for healthy competition within this sector."