Radio Aukan: Defending Community Radio in Chile

Radio Aukan_1_

 

Chile’s broadcasting laws criminalise broadcasting without a licence.

Radio Aukan is a community radio station in Chile which reports on indigenous rights, the environment and other topics. It has been unable to get a broadcasting licence for six years. Radio Aukan’s equipment has been seized and a member of staff faces up to three years in prison. Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) has been working with Defensoría Popular to challenge the constitutionality of these charges.

In this short film Javier García and Gustavo Alfonsi, lawyers from Defensoría Popular, and Francisco Orellana from Radio Aukan talk about their legal challenge and the implications for freedom of expression.

Recent:
Case Studies

Call for Applications: Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery 

Application Deadline: July 31st, 2026 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, we may close the call early if we receive a high volume of applications. Date: October 2nd â€“ 4th, 2026 Location: Nairobi, Kenya 

Chile Jails Judge and General Who Spied on Journalist Mauricio Weibel 

The below is a translation of Spanish Press Release written by Mauricio Weibel Barahona. In what press freedom organisations are calling an unprecedented ruling, a court has convicted a judge

Decisión fue adoptada por la justicia chilena 

Leer en inglés aquí Por primera vez en la historia del mundo, un tribunal condena a un juez y un general por espiar a un periodista. La sentencia inapelable fue dictada luego de seis años

A free press is essential for the protection of human rights.