Mexico: Official urges participation in public consultation on audience rights, freedom of expression

Kenia López Rabadán, president of the Chamber of Deputies' Board, has called for broad participation in a public consultation on audience rights, emphasizing its importance for Mexico's democratic life. She stressed that protecting audience rights is a constitutional obligation that must not undermine freedom of expression, informational plurality, or editorial autonomy.

During a press conference, López Rabadán highlighted potential pitfalls in the proposed regulation. She specifically pointed to the need for clear, objective definitions of terms such as "false information," "decontextualized," "truthful," and "timely." Without such precision, she warned, administrative authorities could potentially review journalistic content and impose sanctions based on disagreements with official versions.

Furthermore, the legislator raised concerns about the scope of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission's authority. She argued that granting the commission the power to oversee the actions of Audience Defenders would exceed constitutional and legal boundaries. López Rabadán also called for clarity regarding sanctions, procedures, and the criteria for fines, ensuring that the regulations do not stifle freedom of expression.

The consultation remains open until August 21 on the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission's portal. López Rabadán encouraged citizens, civil society organizations, academics, journalists, and all interested parties to review the project and contribute to the discussion, underscoring the significant impact the decisions could have on Mexican democracy.