ARGENTINA: Grupo Clarin's media workers rally one day before part of a controversial media law goes into effect
Record ID:
447181
ARGENTINA: Grupo Clarin's media workers rally one day before part of a controversial media law goes into effect
- Title: ARGENTINA: Grupo Clarin's media workers rally one day before part of a controversial media law goes into effect
- Date: 6th December 2012
- Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (DECEMBER 06, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EMPLOYEES OF GRUPO CLARIN'S ARTEAR WHICH TRANSMITS TELEVISION AND CABLE STATIONS, DEMONSTRATING IN THE RAIN AND CARRYING BANNERS THAT READ, "ARTEAR," AS THEY CLAP AND BANG DRUMS ANTENNAS OUTSIDE THE TELEVISION CHANNEL DEMONSTRATORS IN THE RAIN WITH BALLOONS WITH THE TELEVISION STATION'S COLOURS CLOSE-UP OF A SIGN HELD BY DEMONSTRATORS READING, "OUR FAMILIES NEED PEACE OF MIND" DEMONSTRATORS WITH BALLOONS AND BANGING DRUMS CLOSE-UP OF A SIGN HELD BY DEMONSTRATORS READING, "WE WANT TO WORK IN PEACE" CAMERAMAN FOR ARTEAR'S CHANNEL 13, RICARDO MARTIN, DURING DEMONSTRATION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CAMERAMAN FOR ARTEAR'S CHANNEL 13, RICARDO MARTIN, SAYING: "This was spontaneous, each division, of each group, each colleague. We just want peace of mind. To work in peace. They are burdened by all the measures that go into affect tomorrow, that are coming. We want to work. We don't want to be in the middle of anyone's fight." ARTEAR EMPLOYEES WITH A SIGN THAT READS, "WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK IN PEACE" (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARTEAR EMPLOYEE, FACUNDO BAILES, SAYING: "Truthfully we are a day away from the famous 7D (December 7) and still don't know what our role will be. We don't know what is going to happen to our company and we obviously don't know what is going to happen to our jobs. So this demonstration is to say that we are here." VARIOUS OF ARTEAR EMPLOYEES DEMONSTRATING AND TAKING COVER FROM THE RAIN UNDER AN OVERPASS AS THEY CLAP AND HOLD BALLOONS DURING DEMONSTRATION
- Embargoed: 21st December 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Argentina
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Communications,Economy,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAAL8EJSLIW6653VBPJ9MGMO73E
- Story Text: Employees of the ARTEAR division of Grupo Clarin, Argentina's largest media conglomerate, demonstrated outside one of the company's television stations Thursday (December 6), a day before part of a controversial media law which would force the conglomerate - among other media groups - to start selling dozens of its operating licenses takes affect.
The deadline has become known as "7D" or December 7, for the date a 2009 anti-monopoly media reform law calls for media groups to sell-off previously acquired radio, television or cable TV operating licenses.
Employees of Argentina's Channel 13 and other ARTEAR companies braved torrential rain and demonstrated in the streets saying the law has put their job security at risk by forcing their employer to close television and cable stations.
The demonstrating employees said they took to the streets carrying signs reading "Our families need peace of mind," and "We want to work," of their own volition in an effort to call attention to the possibility they could soon find themselves out of work.
"This was spontaneous, each division, of each group, each colleague. We just want peace of mind. To work in peace. They are burdened by all the measures that go into affect tomorrow, that are coming. We want to work. We don't want to be in the middle of anyone's fight," Channel 13 cameraman, Ricardo Martin, told Reuters.
The law worsened a bitter battle between Clarin and the government of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez.
Clarin has challenged the portion of the law, Article 161, which would force it to begin selling the operating licenses, saying it is unconstitutional.
The courts have yet to rule on the case, but the government says a Supreme Court decision in May means a temporary court injunction shielding Clarin from complying with the reform law will expire for good this week.
"Truthfully we are a day away from the famous 7D (December 7) and still don't know what our role will be. We don't know what is going to happen to our company and we obviously don't know what is going to happen to our jobs. So this demonstration is to say that we are here," another ARTEAR employee, Facundo Bailes, said.
The overhaul of Argentina's broadcasting regulations, which dated from the last dictatorship, was welcomed by many leftist groups and academics.
As well as limiting the number of licenses any one company can hold, it allocates airspace for non-government groups such as churches and community associations and seeks to promote Argentine-made films and television series.
But opponents say Argentina's media watchdog, AFSCA, has made scant progress on applying less controversial elements, confirming their fears that the shake-up was a thinly veiled attempt to punish Clarin and other powerful opposition voices. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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