Includes web links to local trade fair or show authorities and local newspapers, trade publications, radio/TV/cable information.
Last Published: 7/12/2019

The Bolivian government enacted the Telecommunications, Information Technology and Communication Law (Law 164) in August 2011.  This law provides the legal framework for all operations in the communications sector.  There is no media or broadcasting specific legislation in Bolivia.  The only regulatory framework in this sector is the Press Law, enacted in 1925.  The Bolivian government is considering creating a media law, but Bolivian media companies are concerned about potential negative results that could came for the changes.
 

Radio

Radio is Bolivia’s most effective promotion medium.  Bolivia’s nearly 900 radio stations have broad coverage throughout the country, including isolated areas where electricity is often unavailable.  Radio is particularly effective in reaching rural populations, as many programs are broadcast in Spanish as well as in the two most used indigenous languages, Aymara and Quechua.

The government operates a national and international radio network, Red Radio Patria Nueva, which transmits in FM, AM, and on shortwave.  The network connects through 30 transmitters across the country.

In November 2012, the Vice Ministry of Telecommunications enacted the National Frequency Plan (Ministerial Resolution 294) that obligates all FM radio operators in the country to change their frequencies in order to give space to new radio stations, giving priority to stations owned by social organizations and indigenous groups.
 

Television

Television is increasingly available in rural areas and can be found in almost all urban homes.  Television stations are privately owned, with the exception of one government-owned station and several belonging to major government universities.  While several networks broadcast throughout the country, only the government station is considered truly “national” since it is the only one that broadcasts to all areas.

Access to cable television is still limited, but growth is considerable in Bolivia.  Companies offer packages of South American feeds from major world networks (CNN, BBC, MTV, Nickelodeon, and others) and Latin American, European, and U.S. programming.  The most important channels and networks are:

ATB Red Nacional                                                                             
Universal de Televisión                                   
Red Bolivisión                                                                                    
Red Uno                                                                                                 
Red de Periodistas Asociados de Televisión                             
Radio y Televisión Popular                                                            
Bolivia TV (state owned)                                                 
Cadena A                                                                                             
 

Newspapers

The combined daily circulation of all newspapers in Bolivia is over 300,000.  The principal La Paz newspapers include La Razón, Página Siete, and El Diario; those in Santa Cruz include El Deber, El Mundo, and El Día; Cochabamba's principal newspapers include
Los Tiempos and Opinión.  In January 2009, the government launched its own newspaper, called Cambio.

La Paz
El Diario                                                                                                  
La Razón                                                                                                  
Cambio (state owned)                                                                                       
Página Siete                                                                                          
Cochabamba
Los Tiempos                                                                                           
Opinión                                                                                    
Santa Cruz
El Deber                                                                                                  
El Mundo                                                                                                
El Día                                    
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.