Media Reform: Accord for a Firm and Lasting Peace
Implementations
Media Reform – 1997
The accord contained provisions to reform the Radio Communication Law to make radio frequencies available for indigenous communities. No major developments were reported.
Media Reform – 1998
No developments observed this year.
Media Reform – 1999
No developments observed this year.
Media Reform – 2000
Three community radio associations proposed legislation to grant equal access and use of radio frequencies.1
- “United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala: Report of the Secretary-General,” United Nations General Assembly (A/55/973), June 1, 2001.
Media Reform – 2001
The Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing assigned two radio frequencies to the National Association for Communication, Culture, Art and Development and authorized it to share air time with local community groups. The community groups, however, rejected the move, arguing that it runs counter to their main objective of gaining legislative action for community radio.1
In compliance with the agreements, the television channel assigned for the Armed Forces was transferred to the Office of the President of the Republic.2
As of September 2001, provisions in the agreement to facilitate indigenous communities’ access to communications media had not been implemented.3
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- “The Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala: Overcoming Discrimination in the Framework of the Peace Agreements, Verification Report,” United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), September 2001.
Media Reform – 2002
The accord contained provisions to reform the Radio Communication Law to make radio frequencies available for indigenous communities. Instead of making radio frequencies available for indigenous communities, the government created a public auction system for radio frequencies. As a result, the community groups were outbid by commercial operators and therefore community’s access was severely limited.1
- “2002 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Guatemala,” State Department, 2003, accessed May 29, 2012, http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18333.htm.
Media Reform – 2003
No developments observed this year.
Media Reform – 2004
No developments observed this year.
Media Reform – 2005
No developments observed this year.
Media Reform – 2006
No major developments were reported in 2006. In 2007, however, media (domestic and international) operated freely and expressed a wide variety of views without government restriction.1
- “2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – Guatemala,” State Department, 2008, accessed May 29, 2012, http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100641.htm.