Mexico, through the recent Supreme Court ruling, acknowledged that its current law does not allow for the democratisation of the country's broadcasting system. Hence, international freedom of expression advocates ARTICLE 19, CENCOS and AMARC are now leading the call for the Congress to proceed with law reforms that would allow for more diversity in the media.

Community media advocates are now demanding that Mexico's Congress proceed with major reforms to the Federal Law on Radio and Television that would allow for more diversity in the media. This call is spearheaded by ARTICLE 19, the National Centre for Social Communications (Centro Nacional de Comunicacíon Social, CENCOS) and the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)—members of the international network of freedom of expression advocates, International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX).

Just last month, the Mexican Supreme Court stated that the Federal Law on Radio and Television, passed in March 2006, violate the constitution and principles of equity, competition, and democratisation of the broadcasting spectrum in the country.

The Court stated that central aspects of the law favour the emergence of monopolies and the further concentration of media ownership in the hands of the current concession-holders, against the public interest.

Congress, on the other hand, promised that once the Supreme Court hands down its final ruling, it will legislate a new bill that would guarantee democratisation and healthy competition in the media as well as ensure support to public, educational, and community radio stations.

At present, Televisa and TV Azteca, two of the country's broadcasting giants, hold more than 95 percent of the viewing audience while 13 commercial groups own virtually all the radio stations.

In a joint statement, ARTICLE 19, CENCOS and AMARC urge the Congress to ensure that the reforms, calling for the creation of an autonomous media body and legal recognition of community media, would “safeguard media pluralism in the country.”

According to the IFEX members, Mexico ranks low when it comes to pluralism in radio and TV because the law allows government intervention and favours profitable, commercial media.

“In not recognising community-run media, and in failing to provide it a sound legal base to ensure its existence, the Mexican state is betraying its international responsibilities, violating not only the rights of society in general to freedom of expression and access to information, but denying these rights especially to the most vulnerable members of society,” said the three IFEX members in their statement.

Sources:
“JOINT ACTION: CENCOS, AMARC and ARTICLE 19 call on Congress to amend media law, facilitate emergence and survival of community media” from the International Freedom of Expression eXchange, posted on June 21, 2007, <http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/84388/>.
“MEDIA-MEXICO: Broadcasting Law to Face Supreme Court Challenge” from Inter Press Service, posted on May 4, 2007, <http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37623>.
“MEDIA-MEXICO: Supreme Court Deals Blow to Powerful Broadcasters” from Inter Press Service, posted on June 6, 2007, <http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38069>.
“Three IFEX members call for democratic community media laws” from the International Freedom of Expression eXchange, posted on June 26, 2007, <http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/84425/>.