Mexico's CRT Approves Audience Rights Guidelines, Denies Censorship Claims

Mexico's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) has finalized and approved general guidelines aimed at protecting audience rights, following a public consultation period. These guidelines, set to take effect 30 days after their publication in the Official Gazette, introduce adjustments concerning complaint handling, the imposition of sanctions, and clarifying the boundaries between information and opinion.

Norma Solano Rodríguez, the president of the CRT, addressed concerns during a press conference, firmly rejecting accusations that the new regulations amount to censorship or undermine freedom of expression. She characterized such claims as "a myth," emphasizing that the CRT's role is to ensure that media outlets follow proper procedures when responding to audience complaints, rather than scrutinizing the content of those responses.

Under the new guidelines, the maximum penalty for radio and television broadcasters found in violation will range from 0.1% to 1% of their annual revenue. Solano Rodríguez explained that sanctions would only be applied if a media outlet fails to respond to an audience complaint, neglects to submit required reports, or disregards recommendations. In such cases, the audience member can escalate the issue to the regulator, which would then initiate a sanctioning procedure if the media outlet remains unresponsive.

The CRT's decision to issue these guidelines stems from various proposals in the Mexican Congress and a number of complaints received by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation. Solano Rodríguez presented a list of "myths and realities" to clarify the commission's stance, reiterating that the CRT will intervene only when procedural requirements for handling complaints are not met, or when media outlets fail to provide adequate responses to individuals who have lodged grievances.

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