On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 the community radio movement in Guatemala held a book release presenting a newly published Spanish language text. Titled “RADIO COMUNITARIA: Su Historia ante un Estado Racista en Guatemala y sus Fundamentos Jurídicos,” the book outlines the history of the community radio in Guatemala, the argument for its legalization, and the history of racism on behalf of the government of Guatemala that has kept Indigenous communities from controlling their own forms of media. It was published with the support of Cultural Survival, the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights in Guatemala, the Norwegian Embassy of Guatemala, the Programa Maya, and the Council of Mayan Organizations.
More than 100 guests from grassroots organizations, international NGOs and even state institutions attended the event, including the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Frank La Rue, Guatemala’s Ombudsman for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples Martin Sacalxot, and Santos Sajbochol, a member of the Supreme Court for Indigenous Peoples Issues.
These three presenters expressed their disapproval of the exclusion of community radio by the Guatemalan state and the monopoly that exists in Guatemala’s mass media.
The community radio movement would like to thank all of the organizations present for their solidarity, as well as Karina Gonzales of the alternative television channel VeaCanal for her presence and
continued support.
