Argentine Senate approves media law, opposition voices concerns over censorship

[forum_admin]

Argentina's Senate overwhelmingly approved a law that will transform the nation's media landscape on Saturday, and President Cristina Fernandez quickly signed it into law.

The new law preserves two-thirds of the radio and TV spectrum for noncommercial stations, and requires channels to use more Argentine content. It also forces Grupo Clarin, the country's leading media company, to sell off many of its properties.

Most affected is Grupo Clarin, one of Latin America's leading media companies. Within one year, it must sell off radio stations, television channels and part of its dominant cable TV network to comply with new ownership limits.

The new law imposes more frequent licensing approvals, and requires that at least 70 percent of radio content and 60 percent of television content be produced in Argentina. It also requires cable TV companies to carry channels operated by universities, unions, indigenous groups and other non-governmental organizations.

Clarin and other media companies will now go to the courts, saying the new limits violate constitutional property protections. Cabinet Chief Anibel Fernandez said Saturday that "this is the right of any citizen."

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The Associated Press: Argentine Senate overwhelmingly approves media law



Government's supporters celebrate outside the National Congress building in Buenos Aires, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Argentina's Senate overwhelmingly approved a law that will transform the nation's media landscape on Saturday, and President Cristina Kirchner said she would sign it immediately. (AP Photo/Alberto Raggio,DyN)

[sandra]

Argentina's opposition lawmakers and media groups said they will try to get the next Congress to rescind or revise President Cristina Fernandez's broadcast reform bill that passed over the weekend, Clarin newspaper reported on Monday.

The opposition lawmakers plan a December challenge to the bill that Fernandez says will open the country's airwaves to new players but critics say will increase state influence over the media. New lawmakers will be seated in December after Fernandez's ruling party lost its congressional majority in June legislative elections.

The media overhaul has pitted the president against Argentina's leading media groups, including Grupo Clarin, one of Latin America's biggest media conglomerates and owner of the country's biggest newspaper and most-watched cable news channel.The media overhaul has pitted the president against Argentina's leading media groups, including Grupo Clarin, one of Latin America's biggest media conglomerates and owner of the country's biggest newspaper and most-watched cable news channel.



Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner