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International Freedom of Expression eXchange Clearing House
________________________________________________________________
Date: 25 June 1996

URUGUAY: Three pirate radio stations raided; stations urge
revision of press and communications legislation

ORIGINATOR: The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters
(AMARC), Montreal

Sources: AMARC-URUGUAY, Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency

On the morning of 16 June 1996, the National Communications Agency
(Direccion Nacional de Comunicaciones) raided three community
radio stations (El Puente FM, FM Alternativa y Emisora de la
Villa) operating illegally out of the living room and dining room
of a private home, and out of a small neighbourhood sports centre.
The radios' broadcasting equipment was not taken, as it is kept
elsewhere, but authorities seized antennae, antenna wires and
other equipment. Despite the seizure, the three pirate radios are
still operating.

The National Communications Agency, an arm of the Ministry of
Defence, is responsible for administering permits to radio and
television broadcasters. Small stations with weak signals -- such
as community or alternative radio stations -- are not covered
under existing legislation.

The three pirate stations are asking for their legal
 status to be recognized in view of the support of the
citizens and local organizations in their neighbourhoods.
According to a statement released by the three stations, "the
[agency's]... actions are based on a policy which restricts
freedom of expression." The three broadcasters are seeking a
review of press laws and communications decrees which became law
under Uruguay's dictatorship, urging that new legislation take
into account "a new concept of radio [which includes]... community
and cultural stations which provide a means of communication for
all sectors of society."

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send appeals to authorities below:
-stressing the need for as wide a debate as possible on the issue
of community radio stations
-urging that, while discussion and any work on new legislation
takes place, measures not be taken against any community radio
broadcasters

APELACIONES A:

Human Rights and Social Policy Commission
Junta Departamental de Montevideo
25 de Mayo 609
Montevideo, Uruguay

Human Rights Commission
House of Representatives
Palacio Legislativo
Montevideo, Uruguay

Please copy appeals to AMARC-URUGUAY at tel/fax: +598 2 901136.

For further information, contact AMARC at 3575 St-Laurent, Suite
611, Montreal, Quebec H2X 2T7 Canada, tel: +514 982 0351, fax:
+514 849 7129, e-mail: amarc@web.apc.org, or Bruce Girard, AMARC,
Avenida America 3584, Casilla 17-01-1171, Quito, Ecuador, tel:
+593 2 525 521, fax: +593 2  542 818, e-mail:
bgirard@pulsar.org.ec, Internet: http://www.web.apc.org/amarc/.

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility
of its originator.
*******************************************************
* IFEX CLEARING HOUSE                                 *
* 490 Adelaide St. W. #205 Toronto ONT M5V 1T2 CANADA *
* tel: 416-703-1638 fax: 416-703-7034                 *
* e-mail: ifex@web.net                                *
*******************************************************
________________________________________________________
Bruce Girard
AMARC - Pulsar
Email: bgirard@pulsar.org.ec
http://www.web.net/amarc/pulsar.html
Tel: +(593-2) 525-521    Fax/Tel: +(593-2) 542-818
Avenida America 3584, Casilla 17-08-8489, Quito, Ecuador