Bolivian President Evo Morales promulgated a new Telecommunications, Information Technology and Communication Law that establishes new rules for the distribution of radio and television frequencies, the broadcasting of presidential messages, and authorizes wiretapping in exceptional cases, explained IFEZ-ANP.
The law gives 33 percent of the broadcast spectrum to the state, the same amount to the private sector, 17 percent to social and community-based groups, and 17 percent to indigenous and peasant groups. Some critics say the law will give the state de facto control over 67 percent of the radio and television frequencies due to the Morales administration's close ties to indigenous and community groups.
The new law also allows for presidential addresses to be broadcasted free of charge twice a year on national television. Meanwhile, journalism organizations worry that the wiretapping allowed by the law will affect the public's right to privacy.
The Confederation of Bolivian Press Workers rejected the president's support of the law, saying that its broad powers "undermine freedom of expression and information," reported Opinión.
The La Paz Association of Journalists said it would appear before the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the International Telecommunications Union to denounce the law, reported Los Tiempos.
