In Argentina, Activists Celebrate Media Reform

After years of campaigning by hundreds of the country’s civil society groups, Argentina is transforming its media regulations. As in the United States, the country’s media is controlled primarily by large corporations. A new law breaks up media ownership among commercial groups, non-governmental groups, and the government, putting two-thirds of broadcasting licenses into non-corporate hands.

Thousands gathered outside Argentina’s Congress to celebrate the law’s enactment. The bill has support from a number of prominent human rights activists, such as Nobel Peace laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel.

Media giants have threatened to fight the new law in court. Critics say the law targets Grupo Clarin, a large media outlet that has openly criticized President Cristina Fernández.

—Margit Christenson is a freelance writer based in New York City.

 

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