The exclusion of indigenous peoples and communities from the radioelectric spectrum in Mexico

Abstract

This work is the result of a qualitative analysis carried out within the framework of the theoretical perspective of the Political Economy of Communication. It documents the inequality in the distribution of the radio-electric spectrum for concessions destined to offer the sound broadcasting service in Mexico. The analysis period of the study was from 2014 to 2018. Being August 13, 2014, the date when the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law (LFTR) and the Constitutional Reform in Telecommunications and Broadcasting came into force. 2018 corresponds to the year in which Enrique Peña Nieto, promoter of the Reform, concluded his presidential six-year term. Official documents issued by the regulatory authority of the broadcasting and telecommunications sector in Mexico, the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT) as well as the articles corresponding to the subject of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States and the LFTR were analyzed. A concentration of 1,275 commercial radio stations managed by 15 consortiums, in contrast to seven social ones belonging to indigenous peoples and communities throughout the Mexican Republic -despite the existence of 68 recognized indigenous peoples and communities in the country- are some of the results of the analysis.