MEXICO CITY -- As expected, Mexican legislators passed a controversial media law late Thursday that will strengthen the grip of Mexico's powerful television duopoly (HR 3/30). The bill, which is expected to be signed into law by President Vicente Fox, allows dominant broadcasters Televisa and TV Azteca
to branch out into digital and high-definition services without having to participate in a bidding process for new spectrum. New players looking to enter the market, however, would be required to do so. Opponents of the media law say it will limit competition and solidify the power of Televisa and TV Azteca, which control 95% of the nation's television stations.