Proposed Telecom Law Replaces IFT, Fines Foreign Political Ads

The Senate has officially received a legislative proposal from President Claudia Sheinbaum aimed at enacting a new Law on Telecommunications and Broadcasting. The initiative seeks to bolster national sovereignty, restrict foreign interference in Mexican media, and restructure the country’s telecommunications regulatory framework.

The proposed legislation, which comprises 283 articles and 27 transitory provisions, has been sent to the united commissions of Radio, Television and Cinematography; Communications and Transport; and Legislative Studies. Senator Gerardo Fernández, President, Senate’s Board, stated that the commissions are expected to discuss the draft immediately, with a full Senate vote potentially as early as next week, Monday, April 28.

This new law considers replacing the existing Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT), an autonomous body established during the 2014 constitutional reform under former President Enrique Peña Nieto, with a new federal entity: the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications. This agency will take over all regulatory, supervisory, and promotional responsibilities regarding the use of radio spectrum, telecom networks, and broadcasting services.

Banning Foreign Political Ads

At the heart of the reform lies a firm stance against foreign government influence in national media. The bill explicitly prohibits foreign entities from disseminating political, ideological, or commercial propaganda through Mexican broadcasting outlets or digital platforms. The only exception allowed is for content that promotes culture or tourism.

“No foreign government will be allowed to meddle in our national discourse through media,” President Sheinbaum stated during her April 21 press conference. She emphasized that the law is about protecting national sovereignty and preventing discriminatory or manipulative campaigns, even those disseminated via social media.

The move was partly spurred by recent controversies, including a campaign by the US Department of Homeland Security that was aired in Mexico and was deemed discriminatory by the country’s National Council to Prevent Discrimination (CONAPRED), as previously reported by MBN.

Under the bill, media companies, including open and paid TV, as well as digital platforms operating in Mexico, face steep penalties for violations. According to Art. 276, the broadcasting of prohibited foreign propaganda could result in fines of up to 5% of their income, though the metric for this calculation (monthly vs. annual) remains to be defined. If this regulation is not followed, Art. 109 of the new Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law allows for platforms to be blocked for failing to comply with applicable legal provisions or obligations.

Constitutional Alignment and Sector Modernization

The bill is set to align with Art. 6, 7, 27, and 28 of the Mexican Constitution, which pertain to freedom of expression, access to information, property, and economic competition. It also aims to facilitate access to essential infrastructure, both passive and active, to encourage equitable development across the telecom and broadcasting sectors.

Other key objectives of the proposed legislation include:

• Strengthening user and audience rights

• Regulating the convergence between telecommunications and broadcasting services

• Governing satellite communications and orbital resources

• Ensuring effective development of public interest services

The initiative not only seeks to restore provisions removed in 2014 but also expands regulatory oversight to cover modern digital ecosystems and platform accountability. “This reform is not about restricting speech, it is about setting clear boundaries to protect our democratic processes and cultural integrity,” stated Sheinbaum.