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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Venezuelan TV urges talks with Chavez |
| 2009-06-17 |
| A private Venezuelan TV broadcaster threatened with closure for criticizing the government has called for talks with President Hugo Chavez. The offer came after the socialist leader extensively criticized the 24-hour news television channel Globovision on Thursday, saying it had become a problem for "people's mental health." The Venezuelan president said that the Caracas-based media outlet was engaged in conspiracies, coup-plotting and terror that threaten public health. "This network poisons people's minds everyday and almost all the time. This is their goal: scaring people, sowing hatred, and fueling violence in the spirit of people," he said. The president said the government would be ready to appreciate a change in attitude by the company's board of directors. "Otherwise," he said, "I guarantee that this network will not remain on the airwaves much longer." Chavez said his warning against the channel "has nothing to do with the freedom to be critical or with freedom of expression." Naming private TV networks Televen and Venevision as examples of responsible media, Chavez said they criticized freely. Televen has "morning (opinion) shows. I watch them sometimes," the president said, adding: "They (Globovision) will see. They have to take responsibility. Â... We actually need criticism and denouncement." The Venezuelan leader's attack against Globovision came after authorities fined the TV network and raided the property of a top executive. The TV station responded Saturday by urging dialogue, saying it was willing to "sit down and talk (with the president), like they do in civilized countries." "The president should know that if he wants to talk, we're willing," Globovision Director Alberto Federico Ravell said. Globovision is known for its tough anti-government stance. Chavez has threatened the TV station before. After the president demanded that it be punished for alleged violations of broadcast regulations, the tax office fined the network $2.3 million for alleged unpaid taxes, while a fraud probe was launched as well as an investigation into allegations that the channel is linked to an anti-government conspiracy. Chavez has warned that a group of civilians and retired military officers is trying to recruit troops and is spreading rumors. Last Thursday during a swearing-in ceremony of six Venezuelan ambassadors he told them to fight the smear campaigns that "extreme right movements" are waging against the Venezuelan people. The Venezuelan ruler, who has been criticized for stifling press freedom before, said he didn't care if the international community criticized him if the station is eventually shut down. But Globovision says it is being harassed for its editorial line and that it has broken no law. Meanwhile, media regulators are investigating the station for inciting "panic and anxiety" after a director criticized state television for being slow to inform its viewers about a minor earthquake last month. Media rights groups have spoken out against the investigation, warning of "unwarranted accusations against the (Venezuelan) press." |
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