Information Society Watch

December 4, 2007, mediaforfreedom.com

Uruguay has passed a Community Broadcasting Bill that recognises community broadcasting in its own right alongside state and private sectors and says television and radio frequencies should be more equitably distributed. A regulatory council of government, media, university and free expression representatives will collaborate to grant and renew frequencies and ensure that the government does not use frequency allocation to indirectly censor broadcasts. Unlike laws in Brazil and Chile, the bill does not limit the geographical range and signal strength of community media outlets but instead varies the range of coverage depending on the outlet's purpose and the audience it is trying to reach. It also ensures community broadcasters the right to secure financing through donations, advertising and government grants. Free expression organisations see this bill as setting a crucial precedent for the region.

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