Colombia. The plenary session of the Senate of the Republic approved in the last debate the bill by means of which "special conditions are established for the normalization of portfolio for a single time, for the concessionaires of sound radio broadcasting of public and community interest".
After overcoming the four debates in Congress, the project goes to presidential sanction before becoming a reality. During the plenary session, the Minister of ICT, Karen Abudinen, thanked the legislature for its support for this initiative that favors the role of democratization of information played by community media and public interest in several regions of the country.
"Thanks to the unconditional support we received today from Congress, 356 broadcasters will benefit, as well as 281 community television operators in the country that have outstanding balances with the Single ICT Fund due to the pandemic," the official celebrated at the end of the vote.
The head of the ICT portfolio explained that the project sets the special payment conditions so that community and public interest broadcasters and community television operators, which to date have outstanding balances with the SINGLE ICT Fund, can benefit from a 100% profit for a single time.
Minister Abudinen revealed that, as of September 30, 2020, the portfolio balance that will be normalized is $4,396 million for broadcasters, while for community television operators it is $2,363 million.
These payment terms would apply to the balances corresponding to the amortization of the payment agreement, authorization, concession, fine, initial payment, spectrum use permit and penalty. It does not apply to judicial processes that are ongoing and do not influence the nation's budget.
"One of my flagship projects is to strengthen the media and that is why we are supporting the special payment conditions, just within the framework of the health emergency, because community television operators and especially broadcasters are the voice of all Colombians," said Minister Abudinen.
Abudinen emphasized the work that has been done for five months to strengthen the stations in the country, a medium that reaches all corners of Colombia to expand its operation and thus facilitate access to information for the benefit of citizens.
"That is why we have postponed the payment of the consideration of the issuers that represent a value of $ 7,000 million, so that they are paid in 2021. Likewise, the payments in charge of the operators of broadcast open television and community television were postponed until the validity of 2021, "concluded the minister.
