World

RCTV closure: Legal and popular? (part II)

by rahul | June 3, 2007 at 10:49 am

686 views | 10 Recommendations | 1 comment

On June 3 2007, Venezuelan opposition staged a poorly attended demonstration to express its rejection to the cancellation of RCTV broadcasting license. It submitted a petition to the Venezuelan Ombudsman demanding their right to protest, freedom of expression and aperture of RCTV. They also argued the Ombudsman has not assumed an objective role in recent events. A small group of opposition students also demonstrated in Caracas. They managed to depict the word freedom with their aligned bodies. Other students protested by silently sitting in front of Venevision TV station which has been accused of practising self censure. Venevison along RCTV share more than 80% of advertisement revenues. Now that top rival RCTV is out of the game, Venevision might improve its profits in Venezuela. Both Venevison - currently owned and presided over by media mogul Gustavo Cisneros - and Televen TV stations have managed to obey governmental regulations on broadcasting. Opposition members have accused them of betrayal for toning down their critical opinion programmes. Cisneros is also the largest shareholder in Univision.

In an article published by conservative and influential Chilean newspaper El Mercurio , OAS Secretary General José Insulza said the RCTV cancellation was more of a censure type than an overall breach of freedom of expression. Today, OAS started its XXXVII General Assembly. It would be devoted to sustainable development and health services. The Ex CIA agent Posada Carriles and RCTV cancellation cases may not be dealt with at all.