Conceptual and regulatory review of the notions associated with the equitable redistribution of frequencies established in the Organic Law of Communication of Ecuador from 2013 to 2019

Abstract

This article explores the scope and interrelationship of the conceptual and normative notions of frequency concentration; democratization of communication; national media; and equitable redistribution of frequencies used by social, academic and political actors in the foundation and formulation of the Organic Law of Communication (OLC). For which scientific articles, laws and bills were collected, organized and analyzed, as well as press articles that document the positions and ideas on the subject.

In this context, for the social and political actors who promoted the democratization of communication, these conceptual and normative notions were articulated to prevent the concentration of ownership of the communication media that operate with frequencies of the radioelectric spectrum; establish severe restrictions on the investment of financial and commercial entities in communication national media; drastically limit foreigners residing abroad from being owners of national social communication media; make accessible to community and public actors a set of frequencies of a similar magnitude to the one that private communication actors have the right to operate; establish effective principles and mechanisms of participation and access to the media for citizens; and, establish affirmative measures for the creation and operation of community media.