Gustavo López, deputy-secretary of the presidency, today denied that companies that currently own broadcasting licenses could be exempted from the effects of the new media bill saying private firms "have a year to adapt" to the new regulations.

The remarks of the government official came as a response to the opposition and the holders of private licenses, who resisted an article of the bill baring TV stations from owning cable signals.

The move would severely hit Clarín Group, which owns Channel 13 but also Volver,TN news, Magazine and Metro. According to the new law, the consortium must new decide whether to keep its TV signal or its cable channels to counter the influence of media monopolies.

"According to the law, they must sell their networks, but this will not mean the disappearance of the stations," said López, defending the government's initiative.

"New companies will form, with new shares," he added. López also noted that "Congress will be able to introduce changes to the bill" after the new lawmakers who were elected on June 28 take office on December 10.