Colombia. The Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies, MinTIC, published the final report of evaluation of proposals for the process of allocation of concessions of community broadcasters. It specifies the organized communities that will have the viability to operate these channels that contribute to the construction of a more empowered and informed society.
582 channels were offered for an equal number of potential stations in 577 municipalities. Against this offer, 706 proposals were received for 317 of these municipalities. According to the final report, 187 initiatives in 185 municipalities of the country will be made viable with the granting of the concession license.
"Soon Colombians will have new local stations in various regions of Colombia. With the publication of the final report, MinTIC advances in the purpose of assigning new channels that facilitate the meeting and strengthening of different cultural identities, as well as the articulation and sustainability of initiatives around citizen coexistence, "said the ICT Minister, Sylvia Constaín.
The results contained in the final report allowed to establish that at the close of the evaluation there were eight ties between proponents, so that the mechanism established in the terms of reference for this situation will be used and, consequently, a virtual tie-breaking hearing will be held on April 29. Soon the time and link through which those interested can participate will be informed. Prior to this activity, a test session will be held so that the tied proponents know the tool through which the audience will be accessed.
This process began on March 28, 2019 with the request for expressions of interest, of which 1,573 were received. Subsequently, on October 21, 706 formal proposals were received at MinTIC by organized communities and on December 27, the preliminary report was published, where 607 documents and emails were obtained with more than 1,500 comments and observations.
After this stage of viability that will be delivered by MinTIC, the communities will have a certain period to comply with the requirements of technical documents. Once completed, the corresponding concession licenses will be granted. The communities that finish the process and put their channels into operation will join the 625 community broadcasters that currently provide a social service in the country.
For the final evaluation report of proposals for the allocation of concessions from community broadcasters, click here.
