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| Ixchel Mateo is interviewed by Idelfonso Ambrocio and Lorenzo Mateo about the importance of community radio during a protest in Guatemala City, October 2012. |
Today, February 13, is
World Radio Day, a day that is dedicated to celebrating radio as a
medium. What better day to come together and combat the forces that are
working against Indigenous community radio in Guatemala? Cultural
Survival's community radio partners in Guatemala are currently fighting
for their right to freedom of expression through community radio. Now, a new bill in the Guatemalan congress, Bill 4479,
proposes a reform in the criminal code that would sanction the
imprisonment of individual actors and representatives of unlicensed
stations, effectively criminalizing community radio with a penalty of up
to 10 years in prison.
This
bill is a threat to dozens of community radio stations that base their
existence on the promises made in the Guatemalan Peace Accords, the
country’s own constitution, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples.
Since 1996, when the Peace
Accords were signed, community radio has become an important means of
communication for Indigenous groups around Guatemala. Even in small
villages without electricity, it is likely that most families will have a
battery powered radio in order to stay informed on important issues and
listen to traditional music and educational programming.
These
radio stations currently find themselves in a precarious position,
constantly threatened with the possibility of police raids. Many fear
that with the passage of Bill 4479, community radio stations would have
to close their doors.
(Source: Cultural Survival, UK)
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