Mexico City, May 28 – The Mexico City Congress has approved a reform package to the Law for the Promotion of Reading and Books in the capital, specifically addressing electronic books. This initiative aims to strengthen public policies that promote reading through digital devices, reflecting a growing trend in how people access information and literature.
Focus on Digital Reading to Boost Literacy
Deputy Patricia Urriza Arellano, in presenting the reforms, highlighted the current state of reading in Mexico. According to various studies, Mexicans read an average of 5.83 books annually, a figure significantly lower than in countries like France (14 books), India (16), the United Kingdom (15), and the United States (17).
Despite this, data from INEGI indicates a threefold increase in the percentage of people who prefer reading electronic books in Mexico. This shift underscores the importance of integrating digital platforms into reading promotion strategies. “Technology is a fundamental tool for promoting knowledge and technological development. Therefore, reading must also be promoted through digital media,” stated the President of the Education, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence Commission.
Key Changes in the Law
The amendments to the law are designed to:
- Promote electronic books.
- Define the concept of an electronic book within the legal framework.
- Mandate educational authorities to foster reading through information technologies.
Deputy Pablo Trejo Pérez, the proponent of the initiative, emphasized the historical significance of books and reading for human development and cultural enrichment. “A people that does not read is condemned to stagnation. The practice of reading has evolved significantly after more than 450 years of printed tradition, leading us today towards a renewed revolution in the way we educate ourselves. The medium has changed from paper to screens, but the urgency of cultivating our society’s intellect remains identical,” he asserted.
Implementation and Definition of Electronic Books
Under the approved reforms, authorities responsible for implementing the law will be required to promote spaces for reading and book promotion through the use of information and communication technologies. Additionally, the alcaldías (boroughs) will be tasked with encouraging the use of electronic books, in coordination with the Secretariat of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (SECTEI).
The reform also provides a clear definition of an electronic book: “a unitary, non-periodical publication of a literary, artistic, scientific, technical, educational, informative, or recreational nature, whose support is an electronic file or whose text is presented in digital format and is stored on an electronic device or viewed on the internet.”
Broader Context of Legislative Activity
This approval comes amidst a busy legislative period for the Mexico City Congress. Other recent legislative actions include the constitutional recognition of dignified menstruation rights on May 28, the promotion of Oaxaca’s cultural richness in the capital, and advancements in animal welfare on May 27. These initiatives collectively demonstrate a proactive approach by the Congress to address various social and cultural issues within Mexico City.
The reforms are expected to play a crucial role in modernizing reading promotion efforts, making literature more accessible, and ultimately contributing to a more literate and informed populace in Mexico City.
Source: https://www.congresocdmx.gob.mx/comsoc-aprueba-congreso-cdmx-reformas-ley-fomento-lectura-7554-1.html
