Abinader submits bill to regulate freedom of expression and digital media

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader has formally submitted a bill to the Senate aimed at regulating freedom of expression and digital communication in the Dominican Republic. The proposal, revealed by Executive Branch legal advisor Antoliano Peralta, seeks to modernize the country’s legal framework surrounding media, journalism, and access to information.

The bill covers all forms of communication, including print, radio, television, public events, and social media. It also proposes the creation of the National Institute of Communication (INACOM), which would serve as the regulatory body overseeing media practices and ensuring the protection of communication rights and press freedom.

The initiative was developed by a commission of national experts, journalists, and legal scholars convened by Abinader in June 2022. The group, led by Namphi Rodríguez and including prominent figures such as Miguel Franjul, Huchi Lora, and Inés Aizpún, produced a draft after extensive debate and revisions. The final version, reflecting both international standards and local legal norms, was delivered to the President on April 24, 2025, and is now before Congress for approval.