Petro Government Requests Media to Reveal Editorial Policies, Raising Concerns | El Colombiano

The Colombian government, through the Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones (CRC), has issued a controversial request for media outlets to disclose their editorial policies. This initiative raises significant concerns regarding media freedoms.

CRC’s Request for Editorial Policies

The CRC reached out to various media organizations, including W Radio, seeking detailed information about their internal policies and practices. The aim is to ensure that their content meets specific standards of impartiality, objectivity, and truthfulness.

Key Requirements from the CRC

The commission’s letter outlines several expectations for media organizations, including:

• Measures to prevent biases towards individuals, sectors, or political parties.
• Strategies to differentiate between facts and opinions.
• Inclusion of diverse sources for balanced reporting.
• Verification mechanisms and quality control of information prior to release.
• Training programs for staff regarding impartial reporting.
• Internal or external oversight mechanisms to improve compliance.

Documentation Requests

Furthermore, the CRC is requesting documentation that details how media outlets select news content. This includes:

• Guidelines for producing informational content.
• Criteria for evaluating topics, sources, and perspectives.
• Records of editorial meetings where such decisions are made.

The commission has set a deadline of ten business days for media to comply with these requests. Failure to do so may result in administrative measures.

Legal Context and Government Response

President Gustavo Petro addressed the growing controversy, linking the CRC’s actions to a recent ruling from the Consejo de Estado. This ruling emphasized the fundamental right of citizens to receive unbiased information and restricted the President’s use of televised addresses.

According to Petro, the CRC’s request is an attempt to enforce this ruling, asserting that it constitutes a form of censorship not just against him but against all media using the electromagnetic spectrum. The ruling highlighted concerns over excessive broadcasts by the President since February 4, 2025, which allegedly infringed upon citizens’ rights to choose their preferred programming.

Conclusion

The CRC’s demand for transparency in media operations has sparked a significant debate on freedom of the press and the regulations governing media practices in Colombia. As the deadline approaches, the media industry is under pressure to demonstrate compliance while balancing the need for editorial independence.