Mexico TV reform signed into law

President Fox signed the bill into law without comments

President Vicente Fox of Mexico has signed into law a controversial telecommunications bill.

The new law changes the way broadcasting licences are granted and sets out the conversion to digital technology for Mexican broadcasters.

Supporters say it will make the broadcasting industry more transparent.

Critics say it will strengthen the grip of the biggest TV companies, including Televisa, the world's largest producer of Spanish-language programmes.

Mr Fox signed the bill after it was passed by the lower house and then the Senate.

The legislation sets out new procedures for awarding broadcasting licences, previously granted by the government.

Now commercial broadcasters will have to bid and pay for licences from a new regulatory commission.

Digital spectrum

Backers of the new law say it makes the granting of licences much more open.

But opponents say the law fails to create proper competition for Televisa and the other main media company, TV Azteca.

Televisa dominates Mexico's media scene, and it controls almost all satellite and cable television.

Critics say the legislation does not make it clear whether the big networks will have to pay extra to use the digital spectrum to launch and expand their range of telecommunications services.

There is also concern that small community radio stations will have to convert to digital technology but there is no provision in the bill for paying for their conversion.