Costa Rica: Trascendental decision by the Supreme Elecotral Tribunal
The International Association of Broadcasting (IAB), which represents more than 17,000 broadcasters in the three Americas, welcomes the decision of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Costa Rica to order the Ministry of Innovation, Science, Technology and Telecommunications not to implement variations in the model and allocation of broadcasting frequencies.
In response to the advisory opinion requested by the National Chamber of Broadcasting (CANARA), the Supreme Electoral Tribunal established that the change in the model and allocation of broadcasting frequencies, a few months before the presidential and legislative elections of 2026, could cause several radio stations to stop operating or their operating conditions to change substantially. This situation would harm voters' access to key information for decision making.
The highest electoral court points out that it is essential to guarantee the plurality of media that, with a multiplicity of approaches and editorial perspectives, provide a broad overview of the political forces in contention. This wealth of information is part of the right of access to information of those who will elect, in February 2026, the new authorities of the Executive and Legislative Branches.
IAB considers that this decision not only protects citizens' access to political-electoral information, but is also fundamental for the defense of democracy in Costa Rica.