In 1972 the Bolivian government passed a law to license journalists. This law created the "colegiado" system, providing for legally protected minimum wages, satisfactory working conditions, and restriction of journalistic employment to those with professional credentials. Although it is still too early to determine whether the law will be ignored or be used to restrict press freedom, it is believed that the "colegiado" laws will actually serve to protect journalism from governmental interference and will continue to lead toward economic and psychological benefits to the profession. Understood within the context of the Latin American situation, the statutes appear to be a giant step toward upgrading the journalistic profession in this area. (DF)