7 Radio Stations Could be Fined due to Freedom of Expression Simulcasts

The notice given to the Ecuadorian radio stations

Four simulcasts made by seven radio stations in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca to talk on freedom of expression are now under an investigation by the Superintendency of Telecommunications.

On September 6, a single notice was sent to representatives of radio Quito, Centro, Genial Exa, Vision, Platinum, in Quito, Radio City, in Guayaquil and Ondas Azuayas, in Cuenca. It is the beginning of the punitive process.

The control entity accused them of having created a broadcasting system at the time they simulcast their transmissions. This figure requires prior approval from the authorities, as set out in the regulations to the Broadcasting Act.

Edgar Yanez Villalobos, Radio Centro chief executive, says that a broadcasting system involves the transmission of the same content permanently.

What the radios did, he says, was a simulcast. And for that, they had no need to request authorization from the Superintendency of Telecommunications. “We have made no offense,” said Yánez.

The radio stations have a period of eight working days from delivery of the notice to respond.