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10/01/2011NEWS IN ENGLISH – Minister says politicians should not own TV and radio stations
Yara Aquino Reporter Agência Brasil
Brasília – The minister of Communications, Paulo Bernardo, says he is opposed to politicians owning TV and radio stations. But he admitted the issue was controversial and needed clear rules (“regulamentação”).
“There are restrictions [regarding ownership of TV and radio concessions] in the constitution but as appropriate legislation is needed the fact is that a bunch of politicians run TV and radio stations around the country. I do not think that should be permitted,” said the minister.
Bernardo said that he was making a realistic evaluation of the situation. “I am being pragmatic. This is a difficult issue, it is very sensitive, because any changes will have to be approved by Congress. As I recently said in another interview: ‘[In Brazil] it is easier to impeach a president than to take a TV or radio station away from a politician.’”
Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English
Link – Para Paulo Bernardo, político não deve ter concessões de rádio e TV