Costa Rican Vice Minister Affirms Commitment to Extend Radio and TV Frequency Concessions Amidst Presidential Threats
Hubert Vargas Picado emphasizes the importance of media access for electoral transparency as President Rodrigo Chaves hints at potential signal shutdowns.
Hubert Vargas Picado, the Vice Minister of Telecommunications in Costa Rica, has committed to extending the concessions for radio and television frequencies beyond the initially planned 15-month duration that is set to conclude in June 2024. This commitment was articulated in a letter addressed to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) on January 29, 2025, where Vargas underscored the importance of maintaining media access during electoral periods to ensure citizens receive vital electoral information.
In the correspondence identified as MICITT-DVT-OF-063-2025, Vargas highlighted that telecommunications play a pivotal role in facilitating democratic participation by providing access to electoral information, promoting transparency, and encouraging voter participation.
He noted that media coverage is key to holding political actors accountable and ensuring that electoral events, such as debates and press conferences, are effectively communicated to the public.
The letter was directed to Judge Eugenia Zamora, the president of the TSE.
These remarks contrast sharply with statements made by President Rodrigo Chaves during a press conference, where he threatened a potential shutdown of radio and television signals if lawmakers do not approve a bill aimed at updating the fees associated with frequency concessions.
Chaves blamed the Assembly for what he described as an impending media blackout as the 15-month concession period approaches its end in September, following an extension decreed earlier in June 2024.
In this context, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Telecommunications (Micitt), Paula Bogantes, commented that the Executive would need to determine whether to extend the concession period.
However, Chaves countered her statement, asserting that such an extension would not happen.
Chaves declared, "If the television and radio signals are turned off, it will be because the Income and Expenditure Commission (which should be the Government and Administration Commission) has failed to act to prevent this from affecting the media involved.
We will not extend it.
You have until September to demonstrate to the people of Costa Rica where their interests lie."
Following Chaves' comments, the TSE issued an advisory prohibiting the Micitt from shutting down radio frequencies, in response to a consultation request from the National Chamber of Broadcasting (Canara).
While the advisory did not specifically mention television frequencies, it is expected that the TSE may reach a similar stance to protect citizens' rights to electoral information.
Vargas reiterated in his letter that extending the concessions is essential for maintaining access to necessary services that allow citizens to vote informed.
He underscored that the extension would ensure continuity of an essential service for the public to exercise their right to informed voting, and emphasized its relevance across all phases of the electoral process.
Furthermore, Vargas stated that extending the concession period “adequately balances the general interest involved in a transparent and participatory electoral process with compliance with the administrative obligations related to radio frequency concessions, within a framework of legal certainty.”
The Vice Minister also expressed that this extension would enhance the quality of electoral information, promote a diversity of opinions, and safeguard the interests of transparency and legitimacy within the democratic process in Costa Rica.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the democratic system, ensuring free access to information, and maintaining transparency in electoral proceedings.
In the correspondence identified as MICITT-DVT-OF-063-2025, Vargas highlighted that telecommunications play a pivotal role in facilitating democratic participation by providing access to electoral information, promoting transparency, and encouraging voter participation.
He noted that media coverage is key to holding political actors accountable and ensuring that electoral events, such as debates and press conferences, are effectively communicated to the public.
The letter was directed to Judge Eugenia Zamora, the president of the TSE.
These remarks contrast sharply with statements made by President Rodrigo Chaves during a press conference, where he threatened a potential shutdown of radio and television signals if lawmakers do not approve a bill aimed at updating the fees associated with frequency concessions.
Chaves blamed the Assembly for what he described as an impending media blackout as the 15-month concession period approaches its end in September, following an extension decreed earlier in June 2024.
In this context, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Telecommunications (Micitt), Paula Bogantes, commented that the Executive would need to determine whether to extend the concession period.
However, Chaves countered her statement, asserting that such an extension would not happen.
Chaves declared, "If the television and radio signals are turned off, it will be because the Income and Expenditure Commission (which should be the Government and Administration Commission) has failed to act to prevent this from affecting the media involved.
We will not extend it.
You have until September to demonstrate to the people of Costa Rica where their interests lie."
Following Chaves' comments, the TSE issued an advisory prohibiting the Micitt from shutting down radio frequencies, in response to a consultation request from the National Chamber of Broadcasting (Canara).
While the advisory did not specifically mention television frequencies, it is expected that the TSE may reach a similar stance to protect citizens' rights to electoral information.
Vargas reiterated in his letter that extending the concessions is essential for maintaining access to necessary services that allow citizens to vote informed.
He underscored that the extension would ensure continuity of an essential service for the public to exercise their right to informed voting, and emphasized its relevance across all phases of the electoral process.
Furthermore, Vargas stated that extending the concession period “adequately balances the general interest involved in a transparent and participatory electoral process with compliance with the administrative obligations related to radio frequency concessions, within a framework of legal certainty.”
The Vice Minister also expressed that this extension would enhance the quality of electoral information, promote a diversity of opinions, and safeguard the interests of transparency and legitimacy within the democratic process in Costa Rica.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the democratic system, ensuring free access to information, and maintaining transparency in electoral proceedings.
