Uruguay

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Report to the IAPA
March 28, 2020

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The taking of office of the new government of Luis Lacalle Pou on March 1 has given rise to optimism in the news media that find themselves in a difficult economic situation and in search of tax relief and calling upon the government to distribute official advertising with technical and equitable criteria.

After many criticisms the government withdrew the incorporation of the Right to Oblivion in a bill for a 457-article Law on Urgent Consideration, with which there were sought to be promoted many themes, among them public security, education, financial inclusion, regulation of media and Internet rights.

Clause G of Article 214 established that "Right to oblivion in Internet searches, in social media services and equivalent digital media. Every person has a right that Internet search engines eliminate published links that would contain information about that person when it be inadequate, inexact, not updated or excessive, taking into account the reasons for which it was gathered, the time that has passed, the nature of it and the public interest. Similarly every person has the right that there be suspended, on a simple request, the personal data that are of concern which would have been facilitated by him or her or third parties, for its publication by services of social media and equivalent services."

Apparently the government will insist on the matter, but would send it by itself.

On February 17, a few days before the change in government, the outgoing government ruled that three television channels be included in a required manner in the list of subscriber services. That gave rise to complaints among the future national authorities and a fourth channel (Cardinal TV), which currently broadcasts through the cable television companies of the interior of the country. Its owner, who is also president of the Uruguayan Television for Subscribers Chamber, Washington Melo, called the process "disappointing" and announced the submission of a bid to annul the resolution.

On November 6, 2019 the Appeals Court overruled the decision of a judge that had acceded to the request for the right to reply planted by a retired member of the military, requiring three news media outlets (La República, Montevideo Portal and Radio Uruguay) to publish a letter. The three media had refused to publish that letter and in its place had offered an interview, which the alleged victim did not accept, for which reason the judge had then ordered its publication.

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