Peru’s opposition rejects Peru Libre’s bill to control and censor media content

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The parliamentary group of the opposition party Avanza País has stated that it “will not support any bill that seeks to censor or control media,” rejecting Perú Libre’s proposal to control media content in “emergencies.”

“The parliamentary group Avanza País categorically rejects the bill presented by Peru Libre, which seeks to control the media and determine its content, jeopardizing freedom of expression and the press,” reads a statement published by Peruvian daily El Comercio.

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The group reiterated its commitment to citizens in defense of freedoms and the rule of law. “We will firmly oppose any measure that could be interpreted as a threat to the essential principles of the entire democratic system,” they stated.

Avanza País thus joins the Instituto de Prensa y Sociedad (IPYS) and the Consejo de la Prensa Peruana (CPP), which have also criticized the government’s proposal. The latter group, in particular, has directly called on the country’s president, Pedro Castillo, to reject the bill.

“We call on President Pedro Castillo to refrain from this type of measure that single-handedly erases the president’s statements abroad in which he pledges full respect for democracy,” a statement said.

In addition to these associations, the National Society for Radio and Television has also criticized the bill, as has the civic association Transparency. The Alianza para el Progreso Congressional party has also spoken out against the bill.

MEDIA CONTROL LAW

On Sunday, the ruling party presented a bill that would provide for state control of media content, including the “exceptional and temporary” possibility of temporarily taking over the direct operation of telecommunications networks.

“The purpose of this law is to declare the fair and equitable distribution of the electromagnetic and radio spectrum in radio, television and other media, as well as transmission in the national territory, a national necessity and interest,” states the text, presented by Abel Reyes and supported by six other congress members.

It states that “the fair and equitable distribution of the electromagnetic spectrum and radiofrequency spectrum in radio, television and other media is justified because the media is a public service of national competence,” and “the electromagnetic spectrum is a key element for telecommunications and the transmission of information.”

“In the event of a declaration of emergency, the Executive Branch may issue, by a legal order, temporary measures to be respected by operators, providers, and users of telecommunications services. These measures shall be taken within the applicable constitutional framework,” it says.

In addition, the bill recalls that “according to Article 14 of the Constitution (…) the media must cooperate with the state in education and moral and cultural formation.”