Background on the Situation
In Mexico, there is a push to establish a new regulatory body for telecommunications and broadcasting, separate from the Agency of Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (ATDT). This move aims to limit the discretionary powers of the ATDT, which will take over functions from the now-defunct Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT).
Key Players and Their Roles
During a series of discussions organized by the Senate to analyze the new telecommunications and broadcasting law, experts, academics, activists, and industry representatives reached a consensus on creating an independent, technically impartial regulatory council detached from the ATDT.
José Antonio García Herrera, president of the Radio and Television Industry Chamber (CIRT), emphasized the need to restrict discretionary powers granted to the ATDT in secondary laws. He highlighted the importance of following administrative and judicial procedures before imposing sanctions, suspending transmissions, or revoking licenses to ensure legal certainty for businesses and protect freedom of opinion, expression, and information.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
Since 2014, the issue has been litigated in courts. The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation ruled that the IFT should issue audience rights guidelines, which were recently established two months ago.
Javier Corral, moderator of the discussion panel and secretary of the Radio, Television, and Cinema Commission in the Senate, acknowledged that global tech giants wield significant economic, political, and symbolic power. He stressed that the upcoming legislation must address these challenges without solely relying on self-regulation by industry actors who have historically prioritized their interests over established norms.
Objective of the Senate Discussions
The primary goal of these Senate discussions is to build a reserve that modifies the already approved decree from the presidential initiative, ensuring that the new telecommunications and broadcasting law adequately addresses concerns regarding power concentration and protects essential freedoms.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue being discussed? The creation of a decentralized, independent regulatory body for telecommunications and broadcasting to limit the discretionary powers of the ATDT, which will assume responsibilities from the defunct IFT.
- Who are the key participants in these discussions? Experts, academics, activists, and industry representatives, including José Antonio García Herrera (CIRT president) and Javier Corral (Senate secretary of the Radio, Television, and Cinema Commission).
- Why is there a need for this new regulatory body? To prevent arbitrary actions, protect essential freedoms (opinion, expression, and information), and address the growing power of global tech giants in economic, political, and symbolic terms.
- What is the ultimate goal of these Senate discussions? To modify the approved decree based on the presidential initiative, ensuring that the new telecommunications and broadcasting law effectively tackles concerns about power concentration while safeguarding crucial freedoms.
