Mexico's telecom regulator opens public consultation on new audience protection rules

The Mexican Federal Government has introduced a new Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law that will be subject to a public consultation organized by the Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT). The draft "Lineamientos Generales para la Protección de los Derechos de las Audiencias" will affect more than 2,000 radio and television concessions across the country and includes a 20‑day review period ending on 21 August 2026.

Key technical provisions require broadcasters to clearly separate factual news from opinion by using visual markers on TV and audio alerts on radio. Each media outlet must appoint an "Audience Defender" or join a certified defender body to handle complaints within 20 working days. Operators are also mandated to publish a code of ethics aligned with CRT standards on their websites. The regulation bans deceptive advertising presented as editorial content and outlines a catalog of administrative sanctions for repeated violations.

Critics caution that the law could extend government control over media, noting proposals to prohibit the spread of false information and to assign ethical codes to state‑owned outlets, raising concerns about potential censorship.