The five sections of the law that were amended by initiative of opposition House members Víctor Bogado and Óscar Tuma, forbid independent radio stations to disseminate public or private advertising, and they also cut their power and reach.

Fernando Lugo’s administration vetoed the amendments that had been passed by the House and Senate, which ratified the bill last week. It will enter into force once the result of the unconstitutionality appeals filed by several organizations is known.

Organizations linked to community radios say the law is limiting, while it poses a challenge to put the debate on the real importance of community media on the table.

The new law goes against freedom of expression, democracy and the constitutional right of all Paraguayan citizens to have non-corporate media.
Real World Radio interviewed Alicia Stumpf, member of Voces Paraguay, which comprises community and educational radio organizations, totaling over a hundred radio stations in the country.

“The news of the ratification of this amendment is sad because it leaves the Executive Branch no other choice but to sign the bill into law, so that it will enter into force”, said Alicia.

The activist said that this law would be a step backwards in terms of the already disadvantageous conditions under which community radios operate, since only seven big business groups control almost all the communications in the country.

“The issue is not about money but clearly about media democratization in Paraguay”, said Alicia.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression described the amendment as a threat.
About the next steps to be taken to repeal this law, Alicia Stumpf said the Paraguayan judiciary is still ruled by the heirs of Alfredo Stroessner’s dictatorship.

However, after the amendment was approved, groups will file unconstitutionality appeals in the coming days.

“We don’t want to be pessimistic but we think there are slim chances of having a good result in court”, said Alicia.

This bill not only violates a right of the journalists and communicators, but it limits the society’s right to have alternatives to the media monopoly.

It is important to mobilize since there is a new bill in Parliament, which proposes a more integral amendment of the communication laws in force, and where the organized communities will have to have a say. So far only the business sector have spoken about this.

Photo: www.ea.com.py