Mexico's Senate: No Paying for Ads

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Houston Chronicle/ Associated Press

Sept. 13, 2007, 4:53PM
Mexico's Senate: No Paying for Ads


By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

MEXICO CITY — Mexico's Senate has approved a broad electoral reform that would ban political parties from paying for television and radio ads and open the way for independent candidates to run for public office.

Under the measure passed on Wednesday night, television and radio stations would be required to broadcast political ads for up to 48 minutes a day without any financial compensation.

The legislation passed 111-11 despite a concerted effort by media companies to block it, but it still must be approved by the lower house of Congress, at least 16 state legislatures and President Felipe Calderon.

TV Azteca, Mexico's second-largest TV network, complained that the bill would effectively confiscate a key source of network advertising.



Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5133163.html

[bemildred]

1. Good idea. Public airwaves should serve the public good. nt