M e x i c o

18. REGULATION OF FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF PUBLICATIONS

The Federal Radio and Television Law of 1970 states:

Article 14: ?Concessions for the commercial use of radio and television channels in any system of modulation, bandwidth or frequency shall be granted only to Mexican citizens or Mexican-owned companies. In the case of a corporation, this shall be required to submit a list of shareholders each year to the Department of Communications and Transportation.?

Article 23: ?The conferred rights, installations, auxiliary services, dependencies or accessories may not be ceded nor in any way be liened, granted in trust or transferred to any foreign government or person, nor may these be admitted as shareholders in the concession-holding company.?

Article 24: ?The shares and debentures issued by companies operating a broadcast station if acquired by a foreign government or person shall from the moment of their acquisition be without effect for the holder and the rights they represent shall pass to the nation, without any indemnity whatsoever.?

The Law on Foreign Investment prohibits foreigners from being majority owners of communications companies, as set out below:

Article 6: ?The economic activities and businesses mentioned below are reserved exclusively for Mexicans or Mexican corporations and exclude foreigners:

III.  Broadcast services and other radio and television services, with the exception of cable television.?

Article 7: ?In the economic and activities and businesses mentioned below, foreign investment may be only in the following percentages:

III.  Up to 49% in:

q)  The printing and publication of newspapers for exclusive circulation in national territory;

x)  Companies granted concessions under terms of Articles 11 and 12 of the Federal Law on Telecommunications.?

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