Revista de la Mañana.: El debate por la Ley TIC y la salida de "Los Puros Criollos"

Abstract

A deep controversy has erupted following the publication of a video by presenter Santiago Rivas, denouncing the abrupt removal of the public television program "Los Puros Criollos" from the Señal Colombia lineup and the cancellation of its promotion. This incident, interpreted as censorship by Rivas and the Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP), occurred on the same day a segment critical of the ICT Sector Modernization Law (Ley TIC) was aired. Although RTVC management denies censorship, critics point out that the action is an attempt to deflect the main discussion: the approval of the ICT Law. The controversy has been exploited to dismiss the presenter with personal attacks, while the focus remains on the bill and the alleged fear felt by other public media employees regarding giving their opinion. The ICT Law generates great concern because, in the opinion of detractors, it would place media regulation in the hands of the Government, compromising the independence of public television (which belongs to the State, not the administration in power). Furthermore, there are fears that the law will defund public content by reducing and extending the spectrum use licenses for private operators, benefiting them with a 10-year postponement in license renewal payments. Opponents criticize the Government's eagerness to approve the law in December, the lack of publication of the new finalized text, and the arbitrary reactions of officials, actions that, according to the presenter, demonstrate that the law "cannot withstand a public, open, and transparent debate