Round Table: Relevant actions against illegal broadcasts on the continent (illegal radios)
On 14 May, a roundtable discussion on 'Relevant actions against illegal emissions on the continent' took place during the iab Board of Directors meeting in Costa Rica.
This activity took place at the Real Intercontinental Hotel and was moderated by Federico Malavassi Calvo, Attorney at Law and former Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, who is also an advisor to CANARA. The panellists at this event were:
- Paulo Tonet Camargo - President of IAB.
- Eliécer Feinzaig Mintz - Congressman of the Republic of Costa Rica.
- Ronald Cubillo Burgos - Executive Director of the Instituto Costarricense de Enseñanza Radiofónica (ICER).
- Andrés Quintana Cavallini - President of CANARA's Government Commission.
- Alex Sibaja Granados - former Congressman and CANARA advisor.
The phenomenon of illegal broadcasters in Costa Rica poses a significant challenge to formal, legal and regulated broadcasting. The existence of such transmissions, coupled with legal loopholes and a lack of effective control, threatens the sustainability of authorised broadcasters who comply with regulations and pay their respective concessions and operating permits. Furthermore, illegal broadcasts can interfere with legitimately allocated frequencies, affecting the quality of radio services and, in some cases, interrupting essential signals, such as emergency signals.
The proliferation of illegal radios threatens freedom of the press, freedom of expression and freedom of information, posing a risk to the Costa Rican democratic model.
It is therefore essential to open the debate on the need for a clearer regulatory framework and more efficient oversight mechanisms. Although broadcasting is a private service, it is of public interest and must operate within a legal framework that guarantees fair access to the radio spectrum and transparency in its concession. The proliferation of “illegal broadcasters” not only violates these principles, but also has a negative economic impact on formal stations that invest in infrastructure and comply with their fiscal and regulatory obligations.
For this reason, this round table aimed to analyze the problem from a comprehensive approach, discussing possible solutions among industry players, technical experts, government representatives, legislative and judicial authorities to ensure an orderly and legitimate use of the radio spectrum in the country.