After his presentation to the media, the Mexico City Congress turned over to committees the initiative of the local representative for Morena, Leonor Otegui, to regulate the content of influencers in digital media.
During the ordinary session this Tuesday, after a quick reading, the package of initiatives was taken to committees, which contemplates the reform of the General Law of Electoral Institutions and Procedureswith the purpose of prohibiting proselytism during an electoral ban.
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As an approach, the initiative of the morenista refers that in the recent electoral processes in Mexico, Cases have been observed in which content creators have called to vote for certain candidates during the electoral ban, a situation that, he noted, highlights the need to establish legislative regulation to adequately address this phenomenon.
The initiative argues for the need to regulate the participation of influencers in democratic processes, especially during the electoral ban, by highlighting that the influence of these personalities can affect the equity and integrity of the process with the promotion of candidates that can generate disadvantages for those with less resourcess.
“It is advocated to establish clear rules that limit the dissemination of political messages by influencers during the veda electoral to protect the democratic process and ensure fair conditions for all candidates”, reads the opinion.
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Representative Otegui explained that she seeks to sanction creators who spread dangerous viral challenges and promote miracle products, as well as a platform so that the population can file complaints when they detect content that, among other things, affects acts of discrimination contrary to dignity and human rights.
The reading of the initiative was overshadowed because the Congress requested the National Executive Committee and local PAN investigate the allegations against its new national leader, Jorge Romero Herrera, for his alleged participation in acts of corruption when he served as delegation head in Benito Juárez.
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What impact could regulations on influencers during elections have on voter engagement in Mexico?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Leonor Otegui, Local Representative for Morena
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Leonor Otegui! Thank you for joining us today. After your recent presentation to the Mexico City Congress, there has been considerable discussion about your initiative to regulate influencers in digital media. Can you elaborate on the main objectives of this initiative?
Leonor Otegui: Thank you for having me! The primary objective of our initiative is to ensure that during electoral periods, especially during the election ban, influencers do not engage in proselytism or promote specific candidates. We’ve seen instances in recent elections where content creators encouraged their followers to vote for particular candidates, which undermines the integrity of the electoral process. Our goal is to establish clear guidelines to prevent such occurrences.
Time.news Editor: That certainly raises important points about the intersection of digital influence and electoral integrity. Given the rise of influencers in shaping public opinion, how do you envision this regulation being enforced?
Leonor Otegui: Enforcement will be a collaborative effort. Accountability mechanisms will be set in place, which may involve monitoring content during election periods. However, it’s essential to clarify that our approach is not about censorship or limiting freedom of speech. Instead, we aim to create a framework that protects the democratic process while respecting the role influencers play in shaping public discourse.
Time.news Editor: The balance between regulation and freedom of expression is indeed a delicate one. Can you share some specific examples from recent electoral processes that highlighted the need for this regulation?
Leonor Otegui: Of course! In the last elections, several influencers created content that directly supported candidates during the electoral ban. This has led to questions about fairness and impartiality in the electoral process. For instance, when a popular influencer encouraged their large following to vote for a specific party, it could sway public opinion significantly. This is concerning because it can distort the democratic process and undermine voter choice.
Time.news Editor: That’s an intriguing perspective. Some might argue that influencers are simply exercising their right to express political opinions. How do you respond to critics who see this initiative as an overreach or an infringement on personal liberties?
Leonor Otegui: I understand these concerns, and it’s important to engage in this dialogue. What we are proposing is not an outright restriction of speech but a regulation aimed at maintaining a level playing field during elections. Just like traditional media has guidelines during election periods, we believe digital platforms and influencers should also adhere to similar standards to protect the democratic process.
Time.news Editor: As this initiative moves through committees, what are the next steps? How do you plan to engage with stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive approach?
Leonor Otegui: The next step is to work closely with the committees to refine the proposal. We will engage with various stakeholders, including influencers themselves, political parties, and civil society organizations, to gather input and ensure that the regulations we develop are both effective and fair. It’s essential to create a dialogue that includes diverse perspectives to get it right.
Time.news Editor: Leonor, your initiative is certainly forging a path into uncharted waters in terms of digital media regulation. How do you foresee the landscape of influencer engagement in politics evolving in Mexico in light of these proposed changes?
Leonor Otegui: I believe we are at a pivotal moment. As we implement these regulations, influencers will need to navigate their engagement more thoughtfully during election periods. This can lead to more responsible content creation and perhaps even a more informed electorate. Ultimately, I hope that we can foster an environment where influencers use their platforms more responsibly, contributing positively to democratic discourse rather than undermining it.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Leonor Otegui, for sharing your insights and shedding light on this important initiative. It will be interesting to see how this develops and its impact on the relationship between influencers and the political sphere in Mexico.
Leonor Otegui: Thank you for having me! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these important issues.