Mrs. Kirchner sends bill declaring production of newsprint of “public interest”
Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner sent the project that aims to declare of “public interest” the production and distribution of newsprint to the Lower House of Congress, where it is believed the opposition's A Group would vote against the bill; however, centre-left parties might join the pro-government initiative.
Several opposition blocs have already expressed different opinions regarding the project, even though the UCR, the Federal JP, the Civic Coalition, and the PRO parties already announced they would vote against the bill.
According to the government, the proposal aims at regulating the price and the distribution of newsprint, in order to address a historic claim from provincial newspapers, which feel they have been victims of trade patterns imposed by Papel Prensa company.
Socialists and centre-left parties could back the move, provided the spirit of declaring newsprint of “public interest” be upheld. This group of legislators will be the key to determine the bill's future, which, if approved, would be passed on to the Upper House, where the numbers are more balanced.
The bill proposes declaring of “public interest the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of cellulose pulp and of newsprint.” The document also says that “it is important to highlight that newsprint production constitutes an activity that is absolutely relevant due to its direct contribution to the existence of publications, on which great part of cultural and news transmission depend in modern societies.”
The project arrived at the Lower House at 8:45 pm Friday. Previously, Radical Senators Ernesto Sanz and Gerardo Morales, in a rally in Córdoba province, warned the government's decision seeks to “alter the opposition's agenda.”
They also assured the initiative against Papel Prensa “is not a priority for the UCR,” and they announced they would not support a bill “under any circumstances that seeks to limit freedom of expression.”
“They think they can get far with their cooptation strategy, but it's not our priority. We can debate it this year or the next,” they added.
Civic Coalition spokespersons said the government is seeking to “destroy critical media” with this measure that involves Papel Prensa, a company led by Clarín Group, but that is also shared by La Nación newspaper and the government.
Even though within the Federal Peronism party members where stating they would analyze the initiative before making any decision, they finally announced they would reject it, since they considered “the Executive branch is sending a bill that is based on a history that lacks credibility.”
“Everyday, new versions appear to contradict the one the government used as a basis for this bill,” Dissident JP sources informed. (BAH)
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23 comments Feed
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Before anyone comments - I am not being offensive just commenting on the picture as it is clear that she has lots on her mind at the moment.
One word of note “Public interest” is a somewhat rather ambiguous term and is open to all kinds of interpretation, which the government shouldn't be the controller of, it echo's the draconian but misguided anti-terror laws in the UK which were marketed as in the “public interest”?
I don't actually see a down side for the UK, the next time they invade they won't even get to the beach, there won't be any new grave yard built as they will all be at the bottom of the sea.
I still think we should dig up the dead Argies at Darwin and dump them in the Mid-Atlantic Trench, then blow the gravesite up and send Kirchner them the footage with a note 'enough is enough, now go forth and multiply', or words to that effect.
Christina will be happy, the video will keep her and hubby in corrupt power for a bit longer, so they can steal something else.
Beware of the K’s! This so called “public interest” it’s another step towards the control of the press. Afterwards is coming expropriation with the stupid complicity of the left parties. It’s true that the fact that one or two papers controlling the supply of newsprint is something basically wrong. But the K’s who were trying to subjugate the independent press from the beginning, now pretend to place newsprint manufacture and distribution under state control which is absolutely worst. Hence the set-up of such a farce like the one which took place last Tuesday.
www.buenosairesherald.com/BreakingNews/View/37381
”I thought it was disrespectful, considering everything that happened at the UN. As years go by, more and more countries support Argentina's claim over the Malvinas,“ he expressed.”
I've noticed that British politicians also run around complaining that certain British newspapers only want to report on things of interest to their readership...not!
I also noticed the supportive nature of the readers' comments. Six comments given over to advertising and this one:
“1| Driain - 25/06/2010
Yes, the butchers of human rights in Tibet are entirely appropriate allies for the would-be butchers of democracy on the Falklands Islands.”
“laws to protect Argentina from bias media reports”? No, gassy, laws to protect the Argentine government from media reports that don't fit in with government policies and actions.
R.I.P. Argentina
Try reading this:
en.mercopress.com/2010/05/29/argentines-the-most-anxious-of-latinamerica-and-at-world-level
Argentina - no minds, just mouths!!
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