Edgar Guevara Soto is the director of Coordinadora de Medios Locales del Perú.
LIMA, Perú — On Feb. 28 Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones, Peru’s Department of Transport and Communications, published a new decree governing radio and TV regulation in the country.
Signed by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and Secretary of Transport and Communications Martín Vizcarra, the document seeks to simplify the procedures for the renewal of broadcasting licenses and is considered by observers with moderate optimism.
“This move is positive and benefits broadcasters, though it does not solve the entire problem, but instead addresses certain issues within the larger scheme,” said Edgar Guevara Soto, director of Coordinadora de Medios Locales del Perú.
In Guevara’s opinion, this update doesn’t focus in on some central concerns for Peruvian broadcasters, such as the transparent and fair placement of advertisments. He believes the Peruvian government invests too much money in the bigger media corporations and overlooks the local, regional stations.
He also thinks the new ammendments do not address the country’s growing problem with pirate radio stations. “The ideal solution would be for the regulator to issue updated guidelines that serve as a basis for the overall scope of the country’s broadcasting regulation, not just on a case by case basis,” he said.
Consejo Consultivo de Radio y Televisión (Radio and Television Advisory Council), says that the new regulation simplifies procedures for transferring and obtaining licenses, as well as for the authorization to modify technical characteristics.
In particular, the council praises 60-day amnesty, which allows radio and TV broadcasters now operating with expired licenses to legalize their situation.
“It’s definitely a step in the right direction and allows the radio stations that were previously not able to renew their licenses to now do so,” Guevara added. “This also contributes to the dynamics of the Peruvian broadcasting industry and increases media plurality.”
However, Patricia Chirinos Noves, a broadcast lawyer, points out that broadcasters wishing to take advantage of the new amnesty must comply with all indicated deadlines and conditions. “Not doing so will lead to the definitive loss of their licenses,” she said.
The full text of Supreme Decree No. 006-2017-MTC can be found here.
