Venezuela: Opposition TV channel lost its license
May 29, 2007
The owners of the RCTV struggled to keep the license. They organized the objection base inside the country, appealing to the international “supporting forces” – from USA to Vatican. The right conservative mass media of Venezuela launched a campaign against the decision of Bolivarian government to cancel the RCTV’s broadcasting license.
RCTV is the oldest commercial TV-channel in Venezuela. It became one of the basic points of its defenders. 50 years in the air, how can one deprive the audience of the TV-programmes, TV-novels, customary “angle” of describing the current events– all that, they are used to. The latter was the reason of serious conflicts with the presidents of the 4th Republic. Sufficiently to remember that J. Lusinchi stopped for 3 days the channel’s broadcasting for the “attacks on the president”.
It is necessary to note that president Chaves rejected all the attempts to influence him regarding RCTV from outside. He rightfully stressed that it is the internal matter and the solving of this problem is within the jurisdiction of Bolivarian government. When J. Insulza, OAS General Secretary tried to interfere, Chaves was so outraged, that estimated him as “pendejo”, which is very disparaging for a man, filling such a high post.
In many countries of the world, including USA and Russia, the broadcasting license can be revoked, given to another owner, outbid, etc. But in Venezuela, which is the crossing of geopolitical force lines of struggle for oil and against socialism with “Venezuelan face”, the RCTV matter as many other interior matters was highly politicized. The battle for Venezuela and its energy resources is at its height. Thereupon “struggle for the liberty of speech” is the traditional reason of those external forces that conferred themselves the title of “Democracy defenders”.
On the 28th of May the RCTV's signal was lost. Despite all the company management’s efforts to launch the nation-wide mass demonstration of its protection, the demonstrations on the 26-28th of May were of local character. In Caracas all the demonstrations to support RCTV were located in the district of “compact dwelling” of opposition in the eastern part of the capital. Altamira square with bordering streets again was the epicentre: burning rubbish, stone thrown at the police, “gilded youth” students wearing masks, representatives of the middle class, activists of low-powered opposition parties and groups – that was it.
Commenting on the May events, when the opposition, including its radical elements didn't show even the half of its former power and mobilisation potential, president Hugo Chaves informed the Venezuelans that the authorities have the information that there country destabilization plan exists and it has to be dealt seriously. The president recommended opposing radio stations and «Globovision» TV channel to abstain from provocative actions which, as Chavez think, will stimulate the growth of violence and striving for his physical elimination as the president and leader of Bolivarian revolution. Chavez warned this channel and radio stations about the possible consequences, that may be if they do not change their mind and to think all over about the results of their appeals to disobedience and negative propagandistic and psychological effect on public. Chaves noted that the opposition mass media twisted the main point of the event and its real reasons, when informing about the events of May 2007. Chavez warned the opposition that in case of serious treat for stability of the country and Bolivarian revolution, without any hesitation he will personally take measures to neutralize the plot. The president appealed the people to be vigilant.