 Author |
 Post
|
 |
|
Luke Lieberman
Joined: Feb 13, 2003
Posts: 3007 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male & 33
Country: United States
Province/State: California
|
Chavez shuts down the media
May 18, 2007 - 03:10 PM
|
|
Udara - I think in a previous discussion you said that Chavez couldn't be a dictator because he left the media alone -
and I said just give him time -
well he didn't make us wait very long -
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E40CB3AE-3E05-494D-9EBA-58A039022AEF.htm
"Venezuela TV channel to go off air
Supporters of RCTV say that Chavez is attemptingto silence his critics [AFP]
The supreme court in Venezuela has dismissed a challenge by a television station seeking to remain on the air despite the government's decision not to renew its license.
In a decision announced on Thursday the court declared the challenge by Radio Caracas Television and Marcel Granier, its top executive, as inadmissible.
RCTV is a channel whose coverage is often critical of Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president, and the ruling means it will go off the air at midnight on May 27 when the government says its licence expires.
The channel and its supporters argue Chavez is trying to silence criticism, while the government says it will be replaced by a public-service station and that freedom of expression is being respected.
Luisa Estella Morales, the president of the supreme court, said in a statement that it is up to the national telecommunications commission to decide on the issuing, renewal and revocation of broadcast licences.
The court left open the possibility that the channel could seek redress through other legal means, and other challenges are pending before the court.
"It's clear that the RCTV case is still in dispute. We are going to continue the fight before, during and after May 27," Oswaldo Quintana, a lawyer for RCTV, said in a statement.
Chavez's government wants to launch a public
service channel to replace RCTV [AFP]
Chavez announced in December that the government would not renew the station's licence, accusing it of supporting a failed 2002 coup against him.
The government also accuses RCTV of violating broadcast laws, and Chavez says it produces "grotesque shows" that promote consumerism and violence.
The government is creating a state-funded foundation to launch a new public service channel in place of RCTV.
Chavez opponents, who plan a march in favour of RCTV on Saturday, argue that the public service channel will simply turn out pro-government propaganda. Government officials deny it.
William Lara, the information minister, said on Thursday that Venezuelans have "many reasons to celebrate the signal's return to popular sovereignty".
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Arslan Jumaniyazov
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 1358 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 32
Country: Turkmenistan
Province/State: Dashoguz
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
May 18, 2007 - 04:17 PM
|
|
The title of the thread, I think, is a bit too inflated.
Arslan
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Luke Lieberman
Joined: Feb 13, 2003
Posts: 3007 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 33
Country: United States
Province/State: California
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
May 18, 2007 - 05:41 PM
|
|
ok - he STARTS shutting down the media -
give the man time, he is rolling up civil liberties just as fast as he can
man everyone is always in such a hurry ; - )
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Luke Lieberman
Joined: Feb 13, 2003
Posts: 3007 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 33
Country: United States
Province/State: California
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
May 28, 2007 - 11:58 PM
|
|
now he is continuing to shut down more media.
this guy is talented - it took Castro much longer...
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/6326AA69-6061-46E9-9645-AD3C06E84212.htm
"Venezuela targets another station
Students rallied against the decision not to renew RCTV's free-to-air broadcast licence [Reuters]
The Venezuelan government has accused a news network of "inciting murder", just hours after the country's main opposition broadcaster, Radio Caracas Television (RCTV), was taken off the free airwaves at midnight on Sunday.
It wants Globovision investigated for allegedly inciting an assassination attempt on Hugo Chavez, the president.
The move against RCTV, which has since been replaced by a state-run channel to promote socialist programmes, sparked condemnation from at home and abroad, and accusations that Chavez was undermining democracy.
Willian Lara, Venezuela's communications minister, said experts hired by the ministry found Globovision had showed footage of an attempt on the late Pope John Paul II's life in 1981 accompanied by the song This Does Not Stop Here, sung by Ruben Blades, now Panama's tourism minister.
"The conclusion of the specialists... is that they are inciting the assassination of the president of Venezuela," Lara told the state prosecutor.
The interpretation of the clip leads to inciting the president's assassination, he said.
He added: "In Venezuela there is a context" for this kind of thing "due to the fact that the president has in several occasions denounced existing plans to assassinate him, and that there are groups whose political plans include an assassination against his person."
'Ridiculous'
Lara also accused American news network CNN of leading a media campaign against Chavez.
Protesters threw stones and bottles at police
who fired tear gas and rubber bullets [Reuters]
Globovision director, Alberto Federico Ravell, denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations "ridiculous".
Chavez accuses both Globovision and RCTV of backing a bungled 2002 coup against him.
A Globovision reporter at the prosecutor's office said the footage was taken out of context.
The channel had been airing archive footage from RCTV accompanied by songs with a farewell theme the week before RCTV's closure, the reporter said.
In Caracas, Benoit Hervieu, Americas director at Reporters Without Borders, said: "Yesterday we saw the takeover of the principal media critical of President Chavez.
"Besides Globovision, what television media is left that can criticise the government of Mister Chavez?"
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Luke Lieberman
Joined: Feb 13, 2003
Posts: 3007 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 33
Country: United States
Province/State: California
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
May 30, 2007 - 11:18 AM
|
|
Venezuela's Chavez widens attack on opposition media
Wed May 30, 2007 9:11AM EDT
By Christian Oliver
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday called opposition news channel Globovision an enemy of the state and said he would do what was needed to stop it from inciting violence, only days after he shut another opposition broadcaster.
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans marched in Caracas in a fourth consecutive day of protests over Chavez's closure of the RCTV network - a move which has sparked international criticism that the leftist leader's reforms are undermining democracy.
State television showed hundreds of government supporters marching in downtown Caracas celebrating Chavez's decision.
"Enemies of the homeland, particularly those behind the scenes, I will give you a name: Globovision. Greetings gentlemen of Globovision, you should watch where you are going," Chavez said in a broadcast all channels had to show.
"I recommend you take a tranquilizer and get into gear, because if not, I am going to do what is necessary."
He accused Globovision of trying to incite his assassination and of misreporting protests over the closure of RCTV in a manner that could whip up a situation similar to the coup attempt against him in 2002.
U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said Washington called on Venezuelan authorities "to reverse these policies that they are pursuing to limit freedom of expression."
Since coming to power in 1999, Chavez has won the support of the nation's poor majority with a multi-billion dollar social spending program, financed by the nation's oil revenues, that helped him win a landslide re-election last year.
But his critics say his moves to centralize power, politicize key institutions like the military, judiciary and oil industry threaten democracy. He is forging a single governing party, ruling by decree and considering abolishing limits on how many terms a president can serve.
http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USN2949211020070530
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Arslan Jumaniyazov
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 1358 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 32
Country: Turkmenistan
Province/State: Dashoguz
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
June 3, 2007 - 10:20 AM
|
|
Luke,
Let us imagine a hypothetical scenario. America was being threatened by a military coup in 2002. CNN supported the coup and openly called for the overthrew of the Bush Administration. Let us continue to suppose that the military actually succeeded for a few days. Meanwhile, CNN supported it. Somehow, George Bush was as lucky as Hugo Chavez and returned to his position. Five ears on, CNN is still there with the same anti-Bush agenda. Worst of all, Cuba and Venezuela and Iran openly support CNN. How would the Bush Administration treat CNN?
Just wanna know your opinion! ;-)
Arslan
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Luke Lieberman
Joined: Feb 13, 2003
Posts: 3007 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 33
Country: United States
Province/State: California
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
June 3, 2007 - 03:33 PM
|
|
Sure - my opinion is that you are full of it.
These are trumped up charges and complete nonsense.
let me ask you a question Arslan that is not so hypothetical -
if this station really supported a coup - then why is it that none of its executives have been brought up on charges?
perhaps because there is not evidence with which to convict them?
They have not charging this station with anything - they are just refusing to renew its license -
what a coincidence - now the two major media outlets which are critical of Chavez are off the air -
So Arlsan did the last major media outlet he shut down two weeks ago support this coup as well?
Don't you think maybe this will have a chilling effect on anyone else who might wish to be critical of the regeime?
that if they say anything they'll be shut down?
It is simply PATHETIC the way you left wingers will defend anything Chavez does simply because he is anti-american.
I think it shows Arslan that you have no conviction of your beleifs, principals or ideas -
because you will gladly compromise on things like... say... freedom of the press - if the dictator crushing freedom of the press hates America.
and instead be an apologist for facism.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Udara
Joined: Dec 10, 2003
Posts: 1055 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 28
Country: Sri Lanka
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
June 3, 2007 - 07:23 PM
|
|
LUKE, to start with, what do you think of un-democratic fascist coup that was planned in the learly 2000s (not sure abt the dates) which was supported by CIA and some media in Venuzealla (ofcourse run by oil magnets)?
That was against a DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED prsident! What do you think? Was it good or bad? What about all the people who were killed during that coup? Who is responsible?
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Udara
Joined: Dec 10, 2003
Posts: 1055 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 28
Country: Sri Lanka
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
June 3, 2007 - 07:25 PM
|
|
I do agree that there are some efforts taken by Chevez against some media groups. BUT, largely, just go and read most news papers in Venuzealla? They are like bashing Chevez 24/7!
Comparing to guys like Musharaf, Chevez is nothing..
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Udara
Joined: Dec 10, 2003
Posts: 1055 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 28
Country: Sri Lanka
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
June 3, 2007 - 07:28 PM
|
|
"They have not charging this station with anything - they are just refusing to renew its license "
Ok, so why not they take the matter to the court and take legal action against the refusal to renew its license?
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Arslan Jumaniyazov
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 1358 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 32
Country: Turkmenistan
Province/State: Dashoguz
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
June 4, 2007 - 12:26 AM
|
|
Sure - my opinion is that you are full of it.
These are trumped up charges and complete nonsense.
Oh really? Luke, you talked about left-wingers (though in a pathetic way), but do you know that the left-wingers actually read non-left-wing media outlets while you guys simply ignore the left-wing media?
The only trumped up charges and complete nonsense are the US media''s claim that RCTV is accused by Chavez of supporting the coup. That is nonsense because there is nothing so-called "accused" about it. RCTV did support the coup (read further this detailed article).
It is simply PATHETIC the way you left wingers will defend anything Chavez does simply because he is anti-american.
That is your PATHETIC delusion, my friend. First of all, never ever I said that what Chavez did with the media was the right thing. I simply presented the context in which Chavez began to take on RCTV vis-a-vis a hypothetical scenario where you would be hard-pressed to apply the standards you apply to Venezuela to your own government. Unfortunately, you always have a different standard for US and Israel and a different standard for the rest of the world--especially anti-US governments.
And for you guys (dems or reps), when you see any context or explanation of the actions of your enemies, it is certainly tantamount to supporting your enemies and hating you. Luke, even your enemies should be criticized rationally.
I think it shows Arslan that you have no conviction of your beleifs, principals or ideas -
because you will gladly compromise on things like... say... freedom of the press - if the dictator crushing freedom of the press hates America.
and instead be an apologist for facism.
Be sure, I have my conviction of my beliefs, principles and ideas, I just may be able to challenge them from time to time unlike some other people. As for calling me "an apologist for fascism," now you are getting hysterical, Luke. Chavez is not a fascist. The real fascist act in this whole scenario is the failed coup, which your government supported--the same government, which gladly prefers a Pinochet-style democracy to Latin Americans than a Chavez-style democracy. Who is an apologist for fascism? I have yet to see you condemning the failed coup or the US support for that.
I'll provide more info on RCTV's support for coup in the next post (from Wikipedia).
Arslan
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Arslan Jumaniyazov
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 1358 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 32
Country: Turkmenistan
Province/State: Dashoguz
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
June 4, 2007 - 12:40 AM
|
|
The government of Hugo Chávez has accused the network of inciting the 2002 failed coup d'état that briefly overthrew Venezuela's democratically elected government, violating broadcast laws and "poisoning" Venezuelans with programming that promoted capitalism. Independent observers concur RCTV participated in and supported the coup of April 11, 2002. RCTV encouraged pro-coup protests, celebrated when Chávez was temporarily removed from power, and broadcast false reports that Chávez had renounced his presidency. In addition, when Chávez returned to power, RCTV did not report the news but rather broadcast entertainment programs such as the movie Pretty Woman. Columbia University professor John Dinges said that "What RCTV did simply can't be justified under any stretch of journalistic principles…. When a television channel simply fails to report, simply goes off the air during a period of national crisis, not because they're forced to, but simply because they don't agree with what's happening, you've lost your ability to defend what you do on journalistic principles." FAIR said that "by refusing to cover such a newsworthy story, the stations abandoned the public interest and violated the public trust that is seen in Venezuela (and in the U.S.) as a requirement for operating on the public airwaves."
On April 11, 2002, anti-Chávez and pro-Chávez demonstrators clashed at the Miraflores Palace. After several shooting deaths, elements of the Armed Forces deposed President Hugo Chávez, whom they held responsible. Commander of the Army, Lucas Rincón Romero, reported in a nationwide broadcast that Chávez had resigned his presidency, a charge Chávez would later deny. Chávez was taken to a military base while Fedecámaras president Pedro Carmona was appointed as the transitional President of Venezuela. [b]RCTV reported these actions as a victory for democracy and conducted friendly interviews with leaders of the movement.
During this period, RCTV and Venevisión were specifically thanked by at least one coup leader for their assistance. Footage of this statement appeared in the Irish documentary The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.
According to the Chicago Tribune, RCTV and other broadcasters supported the failed coup "by directing marchers and then failing to inform the public that the coup had failed".
The government maintains that the non-renewal is caused by RCTV's support for the 2002 coup attempt against Chávez's democratically elected government.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Udara
Joined: Dec 10, 2003
Posts: 1055 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 28
Country: Sri Lanka
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
June 4, 2007 - 10:15 PM
|
|
Arslan, I can avouch for your last post.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Udara
Joined: Dec 10, 2003
Posts: 1055 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 28
Country: Sri Lanka
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
June 4, 2007 - 10:25 PM
|
|
Arslanik wrote:
Independent observers concur RCTV participated in and supported the coup of April 11, 2002. RCTV encouraged pro-coup protests, celebrated when Chávez was temporarily removed from power, and broadcast false reports that Chávez had renounced his presidency Columbia University professor John Dinges said that "What RCTV did simply can't be justified under any stretch of journalistic principles…. When a television channel simply fails to report, simply goes off the air during a period of national crisis, not because they're forced to, but simply because they don't agree with what's happening, you've lost your ability to defend what you do on journalistic principles." FAIR said that "by refusing to cover such a newsworthy story, the stations abandoned the public interest and violated the public trust that is seen in Venezuela (and in the U.S.) as a requirement for operating on the public airwaves."
According to the Chicago Tribune, RCTV and other broadcasters supported the failed coup "by directing marchers and then failing to inform the public that the coup had failed".
The government maintains that the non-renewal is caused by RCTV's support for the 2002 coup attempt against Chávez's democratically elected government.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
rio
Joined: Jun 5, 2007
Posts: 3 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Country: United States
Province/State: California
City: Culver City
|
Re: Chavez shuts down the media
June 6, 2007 - 08:41 PM
|
|
Criticisms of my own government and our role in Latin American politics aside (I have many of them but this thread is focuses on Chavez's actions)
The silencing of any media for political purposes is dangerous, regardless of where it happens. Chavez silencing critics is a step towards autocracy. Time will only tell if this is an isolated event or the begining of a dangerous trend.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
|
Display posts from:
|
Home
Community
