Uruguay seeks to become one of the most up to date on media legislation. Thus, in early 2011 presented a proposal to parliament that aims to end the monopolies of information, while, aims to promote public and community media, national music programming and independent audiovisual production.
Gustavo Gómez, Director of Dinatel, unveiled the foundation for discussion about this legislation, which he said that "seeks to defend freedom of expression and non-government or commercial interference in the media. "
"The current Broadcasting Act, is totally outdated, will be eight, nine articles, which govern the activity. We can not be left behind digital convergence, the spirit of modernization is key to the debate that is opening in Uruguay, "he added.
According to the NGO from France, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Uruguay ranks first in the index of press freedom in Latin America. And now, renew debate legislation to combat information monopolies through a similar proposal recently approved Broadcasting Law in Argentina.
On October 10, 2009, the Argentine Senate ratified the Audiovisual Law, which include items such as, democratization and globalization of new information and communication technologies, the inalienable right to express, receive and impart information and investigate , ideas and opinions without time censorship.
addition, the inclusion of national universities as holders of permits for the installation of broadcasting services, the allocation of 60 percent of broadcast time to the domestic industry, the media operation through a licensing system with a duration of ten years, among others.
In a similar vein, the basic document of the Uruguayan Dinatel said that "regulation should aim to guarantee the exercise of freedom of expression in the broadcast media, provide predictability and certainty to operators public, commercial and community, ensuring the opportunity for equitable access to different media and technology that enable communication, but should not have the motive and aim to control and restrict the free exercise of journalism and the media. "
What is sought-Germano-Gómez explained, "is a law to protect and guarantee freedom of expression, to promote and ensure diversity and pluralism in the media system; give legal certainty to operators and protect the rights of persons before the media, while, it will seek the government will not intervene in the editorial line of media and non-preconditioning on the quality or fairness of the signs and programs. "
added that "the principles and fundamental contents of the new law are the diversity and equitable access to spectrum defined as the heritage of humanity. The bill also recognizes three areas of visual communication: commercial, community and public. "
Another point, "said the communicator, is equitable access to infrastructure," which is to maintain reserves of at least one third of digital frequencies, and universal access to free broadcast television throughout the country ".
on the concentration and centralization of media, the document details the provisions adequate and effective controls to limit media concentration, among which "discourage the centralization of media, from Montevideo, demand and promote the inclusion of local programming content and to strengthen the sustainability and independence of local media Interior. "
The above proposal also includes aspects of the audiovisual industry competition and national rights of the people, guarantees equal opportunities for access to electronic media, undertaking a public tender and no discretion to grant authorizations, promotion citizen participation to control state action, among others.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Kaplun, professor at the University of the Republic and member of the Advisory Committee of the law said that the final document should take into account international recommendations such as UNESCO and the OAS.
According to director of Dinatel, it is expected that for the months of November and December this year, the Ministry of Industry has prepared a draft law, once the debate is exhausted. And it would be early 2011 when the proposal is submitted to the Uruguayan Parliament.
Finally, note that the driving force behind this proposal, Gustavo Gomez, former director of Rights and Legislation Programme's communication AMARC-LAC (World Association of Community Radio in Latin America and the Caribbean), project coordinator Base Data Legislative Broadcasting in Latin America (UNESCO, AMARC-ALER, 2002-2003) and founder of the first community radio station "The Bridge FM" in Uruguay.
