The Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones released draft guidelines to protect audience rights in radio and television, establishing clear mechanisms so viewers receive truthful information, distinguish news from opinion, and access reply rights when needed. The measure has sparked predictable outrage from opposition voices claiming censorship, yet the government maintains the rules aim only at transparency and self-regulation by the media themselves.
The document remains open for public consultation until 23:59 on 21 August 2026 through the official CRT portal, where any citizen can register, review the three reference texts, and submit comments directly. Luisa María Alcalde stressed that broadcasters must adopt an ethics code defining audience defenders who operate independently, without conflicts of interest. The guidelines also require accessible content for people with disabilities and explicit separation between information and advertising.
Critics, led by PAN legislator Kenia López Rabadán, have warned about broad terms such as “false information” or “timely reporting,” suggesting these could invite administrative overreach. Their concerns, however, ignore that the entire process is designed for public input precisely to refine definitions and procedures. Rather than imposing sanctions from above, the government has chosen an open consultation that invites everyone to shape the final text before any publication in the Diario Oficial.
The episode reveals more about habitual alarmism than about any real threat to expression. While some rush to portray routine regulatory clarity as existential danger, the administration continues advancing measurable protections for audiences through democratic participation.
