Costa Rica at risk of radio and TV shutdowns after reform ordered by Rodrigo Chaves

"The vast majority of Costa Rica's radio and television stations are at risk of having to stop broadcasting, after failing to meet the requirements of a spectrum auction ordered by the government of Rodrigo Chaves. The auction was supposedly aimed at democratizing the use of state resources and ensuring that companies pay a fair price for their operations. But dozens of stations announced that they were unable to submit a bid before the Friday midnight deadline set by the authorities for the process."

"This will deal a blow to freedom of expression and democratic plurality, according to complaints from affected parties, industry associations, experts, opposition parties, and organizations including the Catholic Church. The reform of the radio spectrum management model already controversial due to Chaves' frequent attacks on critical media, which he has vowed to dismantle comes amid a tense election campaign, in which Chaves is seeking to advance his so-called peaceful revolution against traditional elites."

"The bishops were speaking on behalf of three Catholic radio stations and one lay Catholic TV channel, but also for the wider diversity of media that could disappear once the new frequency allocation is implemented still without a set date. Defending their existence is defending the possibility that Costa Rica hears all its voices, not just those that come from economic power, the bishops said in one of the many statements issued on the topic in recent days."

The vast majority of Costa Rica's radio and television stations are at risk of stopping broadcasts after failing to meet requirements of a government-ordered spectrum auction. Dozens of stations were unable to submit bids before the Friday midnight deadline established by authorities. Affected parties, industry associations, experts, opposition groups, and organizations including the Catholic Church warn that the measure will harm freedom of expression and democratic plurality. The spectrum management reform follows a tense election campaign and accusations of the president attacking critical media. The future of many regional, cultural, journalistic, and religious outlets now depends on judicial rulings or last-minute executive or Sutel interventions.

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