The Commission on Planning, Economic Policy and Finance of the House of Deputies in Bolivia announced that it would include the public's recommendations in a proposed telecommunications that has been criticized by press freedom organizations for certain aspects that limit freedom of information, reported Los Tiempos.
Including public input is serving to "democratize" the bill and "enrich the legislation," said Congressman Macelo Elío, president of the commission.
The most frequent proposals, the legislator explained, refer to the radio electromagnetic spectrum, access and respect for media rights, according to Prensa Latina.
The original telecommunications law proposal, currently in the lower chamber of Congress, reduces the term of broadcast licenses from 20 to 10 years, and requires radio and television stations to broadcast all the messages of President Evo Morales.
The revised bill will include the suggestions of social organizations, civil society, and institutions related to the licensing of media, according to Erbol.
Note from the editor: This story was originally published by the Knight Center’s blog Journalism in the Americas, the predecessor of LatAm Journalism Review.
