Buenos Aires, December 18 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Thousands protested outside Argentina's Congress on Thursday to demand the new government of President Mauricio Macri back down on proposed reforms that activists say will lead to a concentration of the country's mass media in private hands.

“The neo-liberal politicians … need total impunity from the mass media, so there will be no voices of opposition to the government,” leftist legislator Eduardo de Pedro told teleSUR in Buenos Aires.

First introduced in 2009, Argentina’s Media Law aims to limit the number of broadcast licenses a single corporation can hold. It also specifically sets aside a set number of licenses for community groups like churches and cultural organizations. While supporters of the law argued it would diversify Argentina's media landscape, the new regulations were fiercely opposed by neo-liberals.

Protesters argue Macri's efforts to gut the law are aimed at wooing Argentina's private media, which was largely antagonistic towards his left-wing predecessor, Cristina Fernandez.
      
Media giant Clarin Group fought the legislation in courts for years, complaining the law would force it to sell off some of its operating licenses. Clarin is Argentina's largest private media company. In 2013, Clarin's claim that the law was unconstitutional was dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Former Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana told Reuters the Media Law is crucial to Argentina's democracy.

“We feel that we have to defend some major achievements that have been accomplished over the years, like those that are related to liberty, democracy and pluralism. We feel this is all being threatened. A clear example of this is the media law,” Taiana said.

“They have evidently said in various ways they are not going to renew it, and for us it's a very important element of the democratic advances of these past few years," he added.

Macri's new government has argued reforming the legislation won't impact media diversity. The new leader won Argentina's presidential elections in November, marking the first time the right wing has taken power through democratic means in Argentina.

Along with vowing to reform the Media Law, Macri, a businessperson and former mayor of Buenos Aires, has promised to cut capital controls and trade restrictions in the name of boosting Argentina’s ailing economy. He is also expected to cut subsidies to the energy and transportation sectors.

"This is the beginning of a new era that has to carry us toward the opportunities we need to grow and progress," Macri told supporters after the vote.

Critics say Macri’s proposals will return the country to 1990s neo-liberalism, rolling back the social welfare programs of President Cristina Fernandez and her husband, former President Nestor Kirchner, which have benefited the poor and working class.