Caracas, July 20, 2023 (Mincomunas Press) – This Monday, the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) delivered the authorization and concession titles to 43 community media from different states of the country, in an emotional ceremony at the headquarters of the entity in Caracas, with the participation of the People’s Power Minister for Communes and Social Movements, Jorge Arreaza.
The general director of Conatel, Jorge Eliezer Marquez, praised the coordination of the Ministry of Communes with community radio stations.
“A work of direction, support, accompaniment to carry the message of our communities. I believe this alliance has succeeded, and we are seeing the product of these meetings and conversations materialized today. We are going to deliver 43 habilitations to reach a total of 95 habilitations out of 197 that we have to deliver,” he added.
Kiamara Reyes, spokesperson of the Popular Communication System of Aragua and member of Cultiva 98.3 FM, expressed her gratitude to the authorities and officials of Conatel for their commitment and willingness to recognize and legalize the alternative and community media that have worked hard for many years in the construction of alternative and inclusive communication in their communities.
He emphasized that this achievement represents the materialization of a debt pending for more than ten years.
“From the Popular Communication System of Aragua, we strengthen our commitment to continue maintaining our banners of the struggle for the democratization of communication, the training, and incorporation of our people, in addition to the use of new technologies that make our culture visible,” he stressed.
Minister Jorge Arreaza, in his speech, highlighted the importance of community radio stations being able to freely exercise their right to transmit the truth and inform truthfully.
The Minister proposed greater cooperation and specialization between the ministerial body and Conatel to facilitate the regularization process of community radio stations throughout the national territory. He also suggested sharing content among the different community radio stations, thus strengthening the impact of their messages.
The recognition of these requests for renewal and new authorizations shows the joint effort of the State and the alternative community media to consolidate an inclusive and diverse communication that reflects the different cultural and territorial realities nationwide.
With this legalization, we expect community radio stations to continue to be key players in community development and in building a more informed and participatory Venezuelan society.
The event concluded with the commitment to continue working for the legacy of the revolution and with the certainty that these alternative and community media will continue to be “cannons of truth and accurate information” in their communities.
