The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) presented today in Cuba some initiatives for the democratization of information and mass media in the South American country.
Prior to the beginning of another round of peace talks with the Colombian government, the rebel delegation member Marco Leon Calarca read a statement, in which the guerrillas urged the creation of a National Policy on Information and Communication.
At the Havana's Conference Center, permanent venue of the talks, the representative said that the purpose of such entity resides in promoting issues such as education, and contribute to the development and promotion of a democratic and participatory culture.
Some mechanisms to ensure oversight and social control over radio, press and television would also be designed and implemented.
The FARC-EP called for undertaking measures to decentralize ownership of these entities, establish regulations destined to prevent economic groups that monopolize the property, and strengthen state media.
They also proposed a democratization of the airwaves and equal distribution of radio and television frequencies between public, private, and social sectors.
Providing special conditions to the political opposition for the access to property and media programming, and guarantees access also for rural, indigenous and excluded social sectors, stress among the initiatives.
The FARC-EP also alluded to the right to accurate and timely information, subsequent responsibility and right of response; universal access to information technology and communication, and improve working conditions of workers.