Regulators in Argentina have approved a plan to break up the country's biggest independent media company, Grupo Clarin, into six parts.  It’s a victory over a media monopoly for which President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner had fought a long battle.

Regulator Martin Sabbatella said in a statement that the government will defend Clarin's right to inform and make opinions, but not its capacity to “impose itself like an economic and monopolistic giant to manipulate public opinion and put conditions on the democracy.”  Clarin says the regulator’s comments prove he is biased, but the company will comply with the law.

“The government's goal is to make selective use of the law, benefitting those who were in line with the official voice and punishing those who criticized the administration,” Clarin said.

Clarin now has 30 days to find and present separate buyers that meet government approval for each of the group's six parts.  Its TV, radio, and other media licenses are to be redistributed in six months.