CNN Taken Down for Violating Nicaragua’s Constitution

The Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications (TELCOR) has removed CNN’s Spanish cable network, CNN en español, from the airwaves for violating Nicaragua’s constitution, specifically its first article which establishes that independence, sovereignty and national self-determination are inalienable rights of the Nicaraguan people and are the foundations of the nation.

Reacting to the news, Vice President Rosario Murillo stressed that it is the duty of the telecommunications regulator to ensure the protection, defense, preservation of the principles and guarantees established in the Constitution and other laws on the matter.

Below is the transcribed statement released by TELCOR this afternoon on the matter.

STATEMENT

The Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services, TELCOR – Regulatory Entity informs Nicaraguan families of the provision issued to Subscription Television Operators:

Article 1 of the Political Constitution of the Republic of Nicaragua establishes that independence, sovereignty, and national self-determination, are inalienable rights of the people and foundations of the Nicaraguan nation, therefore being the duty of all Nicaraguans to preserve and defend these rights. Likewise, Article 67 provides that the right to inform is a social responsibility and must be exercised with strict respect for the principles established in the Constitution, under penalty of subsequent liabilities established by law.

Law Number 919 “Law of Sovereign Security of the Republic of Nicaragua”, whose provisions are of public order and of supreme national interest, establishes in its Article 4 that its fundamental purpose is to guarantee the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national self-determination as an inalienable right of the Nicaraguan people, in accordance with the provisions of our Political Constitution. Likewise, Article 8 defines as threats to sovereign security those acts of foreign interference in national affairs that may violate the fundamental principles established in our Political Constitution, as well as any other illicit act or activity that threatens the integral development of individuals, families and the community.

For its part, this Regulatory Entity, as a decentralized entity of the State of Nicaragua, in compliance with its functions and powers conferred by Decree-Law Number 1053 “Organic Law of the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services (TELCOR)”, Law Number 200 “General Law of Telecommunications and Postal Services” and other applicable regulations, is obliged to ensure the protection, defense and preservation of the principles, rights and guarantees established in our Political Constitution and other laws on the matter.

Based on the foregoing, and since it has been verified that the content transmitted by the Channel “CNN en español” through the Subscription Television network of the company it represents contravenes, violates, and damages the aforementioned legal norms, the immediate withdrawal of said channel from the channel grids authorized by this Regulatory Entity is ordered.

Finally, we request that the Regulatory Entity be informed as soon as possible, which channel will replace “CNN en español” in the channel grids for our review and authorization.

Managua, September 23, 2022

Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services

TELCOR – Regulatory Entity

By Kawsachun News