The government of Venezuela introduced a new law requiring Venezuelan radio stations to broadcast at least 50 percent Venezuelan musical works. However, public and state-run stations, as well as stations in border areas, are required to broadcast a minimum of 70 percent local music. The law applies to music that is broadcast between 7 am and 11 pm.

In addition, a minimum of 50 percent of the Venezuelan music that is broadcast must be music with a “Venezuelan tradition” – that is, genres representing the various regions of Venezuela as well as Spanish-language and indigenous-language content.

Radio stations are also encouraged to broadcast music that reflects “Venezuelan cultural values,” and air music that is written by Venezuelan authors and composers as well as performed by Venezuelans. Further, 10 percent of international music broadcast by radio stations between 7 am and 11 pm must be written and/or performed by artists from other Latin American countries and the Caribbean.

The law also applies to television stations that broadcast music.

The law came into effect in December 2004 and is known as the Law of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television. The law will be administered by a newly-established Telecommunications Commission which will monitor the country’s radio and television stations.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) reports that in 2003 only 19 percent of recorded music sales by value in Venezuela represented local music. The retail value of the Venezuelan recorded music market was only $5.5 million (U.S.) in 2003, a decline from $62.8 million in 2000.

The decline is due to a weak economy and rampant piracy. The piracy rate in 2002 was 75 percent. However, legitimate sales of recorded music increased to $7 million during the first six months of 2004.

Critics of the government suggest the new law was introduced mainly as an attempt to curb the power of private TV broadcasters who are opposed to the current government’s administration. Sections of the law restrict the portrayal of violence on television, and TV stations that break the law can have their transmissions suspended for up to 72 hours.

A second offence can result in a station’s licence being revoked. Therefore, television stations will not air news reports of confrontations between Venezuelan police and citizens, for instance, until after 11 pm.

(Abstracted from Venezuela’s New Media Law Introduces a 50% National Music Quota for Daytime Radio and Television, Music & Copyright, December 22, 2004)