Mexico's Public Consultation on Audience Rights Nears End with Over 4,600 Comments

Mexico's public consultation on guidelines for audience rights has garnered significant participation, with over 4,600 comments and 4,400 unique participants by Friday, August 14. The consultation period, which began on July 27, concludes on August 21 at 11:59 PM.

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This consultation constitutes a democratic, plural, and transparent exercise.

The Federal Telecommunications Commission (CRT) opened the consultation to allow any individual, sector, regulated agent, or interested party to submit comments and analysis on how viewers and listeners can exercise their rights concerning media outlets. The commission acknowledged the diverse voices contributing to the process, calling it a "democratic, plural, and transparent exercise."

It was clarified that these audience rights do not extend to print media or digital platforms. Furthermore, the CRT stated that the guidelines are not intended as a censorship mechanism, nor do they restrict freedom of expression. "They do not constitute a censorship mechanism, as they do not limit people's rights to express and disseminate ideas," the commission indicated.

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They do not constitute a censorship mechanism, as they do not limit people's rights to express and disseminate ideas.

President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico characterized the initiative as a "democratic advance." Speaking at a press conference, she reiterated the importance of an ethics code and an ombudsman for audiences. Responding to a poll on whether the government should penalize media for spreading false information, Sheinbaum stressed that the focus is on establishing an ethics code and an ombudsman, not on imposing sanctions.

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It is a democratic advance for the country.

"We are not going to sanction any media outlet for deceiving audiences. The only thing we said, in accordance with the law, is 'have an ombudsman for audiences and an ethics code,'" she stated, noting the National Chamber of the Radio and Television Industry (CIRT) agreed with this approach. Sheinbaum affirmed that freedom of expression is upheld in Mexico and no one is subject to censorship.

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And we are not going to sanction any media outlet for deceiving audiences. The only thing we said, in accordance with the law, is ‘have an ombudsman for audiences and an ethics code’.