On a day marked by the decision of the Constitutional Court (TC), the Chilean government celebrated a victory when it learned of the rejection of the request presented by the Senate to declare the Commission against Disinformation unconstitutional. With a majority vote, the TC has affirmed that this initiative promoted by the Executive conforms to the Constitution, thus clearing up the legal doubts surrounding this commission.
The decision of the Constitutional Court made its position clear by rejecting the request presented by the Senate. With five votes against and three in favor, the TC declared the request issued by the Upper House inadmissible. This ruling marks an important step for the continuity of the Commission against Disinformation and grants legitimacy to its operation.
Constitutional legitimacy
The ruling of the Constitutional Court is a strong signal that the Commission against Disinformation is an initiative that conforms to the country’s legal frameworks. The endorsement of the TC supports the legality and constitutionality of this commission, created to address one of the most relevant contemporary challenges: the proliferation of disinformation.
Background of the Requirement
The requirement against the Commission against Disinformation was presented on July 19 by senators from different political groups, including Chile Vamos, the Republican Party and Democrats. These senators presented a draft agreement to declare the commission unconstitutional, arguing legal questions regarding its operation. The initiative obtained 18 votes in favor, 11 against and three abstentions in the Upper House.
Political Consensus
The filing of the request was not without political controversy, reflecting differing perspectives on the need for and role of the Commission Against Disinformation. Despite the differences, the decision of the Constitutional Court becomes a meeting point, ruling that the commission is compatible with the Constitution, validating its purpose of combating disinformation and guaranteeing clarity in public information.
The rejection of the request by the Constitutional Court represents a significant step in the consolidation of the Commission against Disinformation as a legal and valid instrument to face the challenges of the digital age. This decision puts an end to the legal uncertainty surrounding the commission and reinforces the importance of having mechanisms that promote transparency and veracity in information for the benefit of Chilean society.
