Deputies approved reform of the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law

The Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved the reform that makes it possible to establish that programming that is broadcast through restricted broadcasting or television and audio, within the framework of freedom of expression and reception of ideas and information, must promote respect for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Specifically, the aim is to add section X to Article 223 of the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law (LFTR), which proposes to strengthen the positive actions of a general culture of respect for the human condition, regardless of whether you live with a disability or not, and therefore, with the implementation of this reform, the next generations will not have the negative reference of distorted images that discriminate against these people because they have been disseminated incorrectly.

It is noted that the reform aims to promote respect for persons with disabilities in all its forms and expressions within the transmission of radio and television programmes, which will promote a culture of respect for this sector of society.

According to what was considered in the minute that was sent to the Senate of the Republic, it does not seek to violate freedom of expression, but on the contrary, it occurs within a framework of naturalness of treatment that coincides with the awareness that has been built for people with disabilities.

In supporting the opinion, Deputy Luis Alberto Mendoza Acevedo, champion of the National Action Party (PAN) and president of the Radio and Television Commission, indicated that the reform aims to ensure that Mexicans have a legal framework that considers everyone, including people who live with a disability.

He said that according to the World Health Organization (WHO) more than 1 billion people live with some disability, that is 15 percent of the world's population. As reported by Inegi, in the 2020 census, there are more than 6 million people in Mexico with disabilities, representing 4.9% of the population, “a considerable number of people who have difficulty walking, seeing, hearing, communicating or carrying out daily activities to which we must respond and attend.”

Also, and unusually, the Juntos Hacemos Historia coalition (Morena, PT and PVEM) signed up to the reform presented by the panist. For example, Rosa Hernández, from Movimiento Regeneración Nacional (Morena), pointed out that today there is an opportunity to take an important step towards the rights of people with disabilities, by avoiding the discrimination they face in the media.

Similarly, Brígido Moreno, from the Labour Party (PT), welcomed the adoption of the opinion and indicated that it aims to establish that programming broadcast through restricted radio, television and audio must respect the rights of persons with disabilities. “The Labour Party has always been on the side of the people and their interests.”

The proposal was also joined by Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) and, on the part of this party, Julieta Mejía participated, who said that in Mexico six out of 10 people with disabilities live situations of discrimination every day, which is alarming and requires concrete action. “It is urgent that we take legislative and administrative measures to reduce the conditions of discrimination that people with disabilities experience systematically.”

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