WORLD PRESS TRENDS - World Association of Newspapers

COLOMBIA
Discounts
on: post 0 rail 0 telephone 0 telegraph 0 telex 0
There are no reductions formally established by the government
or the telecommunications industry. However, newspaper
publishers have been able to establish agreements with some of
these agents to gain reductions in telephone bills and postal
rates. The exact figures for these reductions are not known as
they vary widely between newspapers.
Ownership
Does any law exist governing publishing-house ownership, or the
registration of shares in newspaper-publishing companies There
are no laws that regulate this issue specifically. As long as a
company meets all the requirements established in the
Commerce code for the opening of any kind of company, it can
be registered legally.
Is there any law prohibiting or restricting foreign companies or
individuals from owning shares, and in particular, the majority of
shares, of domestic daily newspapers No prohibitions exist on this
matter. Any foreign agent can be a shareholder of a Colombian
newspaper and be an active participant in it. A foreign citizen
is allowed to publish a newspaper in Colombia as long as the
publishing company is established within the law.
Is there any law prohibiting daily newspaper or periodical publishers
from operating radio or television stations in the same locality No.
Publishers are as free to operate television or radio stations as
any other citizen.
So as to guarantee disclosure and transparency in the capital structure
and to avert silent partnerships, is there a law or rule making it possible
to determine who actually owns a publishing company No
Is there an antitrust law limiting concentration in the daily press
No. A publishing company is free to promote or own any
number of newspapers.
Is further regulation of media concentration expected There are
currently no plans to legislate on this topic. However, the
government and guerrillas are initiating negotiations in the
peace process, the result of which is unpredictable.
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WORLD ASSOCIATION OF NEWSPAPERS - WORLD PRESS TRENDS 2003