GUATEMALA- On March 23, 2011, The United Nations Office for Human Rights in Guatemala gave a presentation to a packed audience on the state of human rights in Guatemala throughout the year 2010. Alberto Brunori, the High Commissioner, explained the continued state of social exclusion and disadvantage that faces Indigenous peoples in Guatemala. In his speech, Brunori highlighted the necessity of equal access to media for Indigenous communities in Guatemala, and specifically to community radio frequencies.
The 2010 annual report notes the following:
"The absence of legal recognition of community radio stations has led to their criminal prosecution, while legislation establishes economic criteria for the distribution of radio frequencies, therefore affecting equal conditions of access for all sectors of the population. Although preliminary steps have been taken in the implementation of the law on access to information to ensure the transparency of public institutions, an overall policy on State accountability vis-à-vis civil society is pending."[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"60975","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]
