2024-01-31 20:19:47
While the Chamber of Deputies of the National Congress is debating the “Omnibus Law”, presented by President Javier Milei, the Booksellers in the country issued a new document where they insist and request that legislators “totally reject” the repeal of Law 25,542. that regulates the country’s publishing industry. «We trust in each of you, in your personal experiences and your training, that you became representatives of the people in Congress. We trust that none of you want a country with fewer books,” they expressed.
And they provide significant data to substantiate their claim, in times where paper books are being overwhelmed by digital and technological consumption. One of the points that the booksellers clarify or try to explain to the deputies in their document is the high price of books. They claim that the reason why books maintain a price above inflation is because The price of paper increased by 70% in the last two months and 300% during the last year.
«Paper represents 60% of the cost of the book, so it is evident that the problem with the price of the book comes directly from the cost of the paper. Solidly documented international experience proves that When laws similar to this are repealed, the prices of books increase, “they do not decrease, thus harming readers and all participants in the publishing ecosystem: writers, illustrators, translators, editors, proofreaders, designers, distributors and bookstores,” they added.
Now, why is it insisted that this law not be repealed? Because it not only affects the economic interests of those who participate in this industry, but because It violates a fundamental right, which is access to culture and knowledge. There are world-renowned writers who claim that a book is a journey around the world without having to move from a chair, where you can acquire unique knowledge and experiences. A place where you learn and enrich your mind and soul.
In this sense, the booksellers who signed the manifesto explain the scope of law 25,542 that is proposed to be eliminated. «This law does not represent any expense for the State. It only establishes that each book producer (publisher) or importer sets a price for each title and each seller (bookstores, online stores) respects it. In force since 2002 (and similar to others, previous ones, that govern in Germany, France, Spain and twenty other countries), it was not imposed by any government, but was an agreement between all the actors in the book. In Argentina the consensus on this is very broad, and includes small bookstores and chains,” they developed.
The booksellers, gathered in chambers, confirm that the current regulations demonstrated a great positive influence on the quantity and diversity of books that are produced, sold and circulated. «It has generated healthy competition (sellers compete for better service, attention, dissemination), creates and sustains jobs, and promotes the cultural strength of the country. In our case the benefits also
They affect other areas, such as the knowledge economy and the important cultural tourism of which we are recipients,” they added.
According to data from the Argentine Book Chamber, since the implementation of this law, The production of editorial news had an increase of 200%, The number of bookstores tripled and more than 200 SME publishing houses emerged.
«This law establishes clear and fair rules of the game for all actors in the sector. A well-organized industry obtains better results,” they concluded.
Neuquén bookstores, cultural spaces
A resolution of the former Ministry of Cultures, dissolved by Governor Rolando Figueroa when he took office in December, declares those bookstores that function as cultural spaces of cultural interestfocused on disseminating local production.
Resolution 5 of 2021 establishes that those bookstores that have as their objective will be declared cultural spaces «disseminate, promote, market, make visible, exhibit works in different technological formats by authors from our region Patagonian literary; works from regional, independent, self-managed, artisanal publishers guaranteeing bibliodiversity, a federal perspective, avoiding editorial concentration and cultural monopoly. Likewise, strengthen the regional identity of the literature that is written from this territory.”
Besides, are those who actively participate in cultural activities linked to the promotion, dissemination and encouragement of reading and writing in the region and develop extension programs so that the bookstore space interacts with the artistic community of the area in pursuit of mutual strengthening, respecting aesthetic, political, gender and inclusion of different disabilities.
«There are 18 bookstores those that are in operation, not counting those specialized in religious, legal and language activities. Bookstores that sell cultural goods and services from Neuquén authors are considered valuable cultural spaces of vital importance for the promotion of reading as well as for the social work they carry out in the community, through participation in book fairs. Provincial and Municipal,” they said from the ministry at the time the resolution came into effect.
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