Our radios, our standards

 

Mexico is a plurinational country where there are different ways of understanding and organizing life. Indigenous territories have their own regulatory systems and forms of organization that provide them with autonomy for the care of life and defense of the territory. Indigenous radio stations contribute to strengthening these systems.

Since March 2023, we have launched the campaign "Our radios, our rules", which seeks to make visible the struggle for autonomy of indigenous radio stations and strengthen their legal and political strategy.

How to join us?

If you are part of an indigenous radio station, civil organization, or you are a lawyer and you are interested in being part of the working group, please contact us.

History of the Process

January 17, 2023  

Consultation with the National Electoral Institute

February 22, 2023 

Response to the consultation by the National Electoral Institute

March 10, 2023

Electoral lawsuits filed by indigenous communities through their radios commence

March 15, 2023

Launching of the campaign "Our Radios Our Standards".

June 25, 2023 

Masewal People's Regional Assembly on the electoral trial

July 5, 2023

TEPJF rules against the autonomy of indigenous radio stations

July 27, 2023 

Amendment to regulations approved without consultation of indigenous radio stations

September 13, 2023 

Institutional racism wins

September 17, 2023 

38 Assembly in Defense of the Territory and for the Construction of Life Plans of the Masewal, Tutunakú and Mestizo peoples.

September 19, 2023 

Modifications to the regulations

September 23, 2023 

Radio Tosepan and Radio Cholollan file lawsuit against unconstitutional amendments

October 11 and 18, 2023 

Indigenous authorities file lawsuits against the court's rulings

October 31, 2023 

Amparo San Jerónimo, Purenchécuaro, Michoacán

2024 -  

Entry to the Inter-American Human Rights System

Audiovisual Content

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On January 17, 2023, Radio Tosepan Limakxtum A.C., concessionaire of the indigenous social radio station XHSIAE-FM of the State of Puebla, following the mandate of the Regional Assemblyconsulted INE that, in accordance with Article 2o. Constitutional, international treaties and the Federal Law of Telecommunications and Broadcasting itself, to confirm that the indigenous social concessions, when addressing the provisions of communication in electoral matters, cannot contravene the purpose of their concession, that is, the promotion, development and preservation of their languages, culture, knowledge, traditions, internal rules and other elements that constitute the indigenous cultures and identities, and therefore could not broadcast political propaganda of political parties, as this would go against their community values established in their codex masewal (indigenous normative system).

Read here the Confirmation of criteria.

INE disregards the rights of Radio Tosepan Limakxtum, A. C. and imposes on it the obligation to broadcast political party propaganda, denying the confirmation of criteria. In view of this fact, a Press release in conjunction with Radio Tosepan, REDES A.C., Artículo 19, R3D, AMARC, among other organizations. 


Read here the INE General Council Agreement INE/CG120/2023.

First electoral lawsuit filed by Radio Tosepan Limakxtum, A. C., against the resolution of the INE, which denies the confirmation of criteria. In support of the dignified struggle of the indigenous radio stations, several people belonging to academic institutions filed a Amicus Curiae where they exhort the Court to consider the particularities of the indigenous territories before issuing a sentence.

Read here the Electoral Trial SUP-JE-1057/2023.

At press conference together with different organizations, we launched the campaign "Our radios, our standards" and presented a communiqué where indigenous organizations and media expressed our position on the case.

In the Regional Assembly The Masewal People call on the magistrates of the Superior Chamber of the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary to rule in favor of the autonomy of indigenous peoples, as they have done in other important cases.

The TEPJF rules against Radio Tosepan Limakxtum, A. C. and the right to autonomy of the Masewal People. Unfortunately, the Tribunal has not wanted to recognize a reality that the Constitution and International Law protect. This dignifies us and dignifies our struggle, while it shows that the Tribunal is incapable of attending to the high task that the country has entrusted to it, that of protecting the rights of the peoples that comprise it. The Masewal people, organized in the Union of Tosepan Cooperatives, reiterate that they will continue in the struggle.

The General Council of INE approved the modification of the Regulation of Radio and Television in Electoral Matters, and in view of this fact Radio Tosepan and Radio Cholollan filed a new appeal. before the Electoral Tribunal, considering it unconstitutional. 


Read here the judgments of the citizens SUP-RAP-149/2023 y SUP-RAP-150/2023.

The Electoral Tribunal rules against indigenous radio stations and in favor of INE's racism. Read here the Sentence.

In view of this fact, we signed a communiqué in conjunction with Radio Tosepan, Radio Cholollan, AMARC and REDES A.C.

In the 38 Assembly in Defense of the Territory and for the Construction of Life Plans of the Masewal, Tutunakú and Mestizo peoples, held on September 17, 2023 in Tlatlauquitepec, Puebla, confirmed the rejection of the imposition of political party propaganda on radio Tosepan Limakxtum and approved the continuity of the defense of the rights to radio autonomy.

Publication of the amendments to the Radio and Television Regulations on Electoral Matters in the Official Gazette of the Federation.


Read here the agreement of the INE's General Council INE/CG445/2023.

The General Council of INE approved the modification of the Radio and Television Regulations on Electoral Matters, and in view of this fact, Radio Tosepan and Radio Cholollan filed a new appeal before the Electoral Tribunal, considering it unconstitutional.


Read here the judgment of the citizens SUP-RAP-219/2023.

At this stage, the authorities recognized in the indigenous communities of Cuetzalan and San Bernardino Tlaxcalancingo, express their disagreement The lack of consultation for the modifications to the regulations, which oblige indigenous radio stations to broadcast political party spots.

Read here the judgments of the citizens SUP-RAP-258/2023 y SUP-RAP-318/2023.

The indigenous social radio station Radio Purenchécuaro, shortly after obtaining its concession, filed an Amparo Indirecto (indirect injunction) lawsuit before the Federal Judiciary. The idea is that having state recognition does not mean submission to unjust norms that violate their rights, cosmovisions and autonomy.

The challenged act consists of the obligation constituted as consideration in condition 11 of the Concession Title to use and take advantage of frequency bands of the radioelectric spectrum for Indigenous Social use, granted on August 30, 2023 and notified on October 11, 2023, and through which it establishes:

 "11. Considerations: The concessionaire is obligated to to pay all the considerations established by the Institute or by the provisions applicable to the matter and contributions derived from the use and exploitation of the radio electric spectrum. Emphasis added

Read here the Indirect Amparo Suit Purenchécuaro.

The indigenous communities involved in this strategy decided to work together with various organizations to seek entry into the Inter-American Human Rights System, with the aim of defending the autonomy of indigenous media established in the Constitution and in various international treaties. The objective is to give visibility to the case at the international level and to pressure the Mexican State so that, through its institutions, the rights of indigenous peoples are guaranteed.