Chavez Supporters Assault Globovision Is A Disgrace

At a time of increased tension in Venezuela between the government and the opposition, supporters of Chavez called the UPV [Union Patriotica Venezolana or Venezuelan Patriotic Union] have assaulted the offices of Globovision.

A group of 35 people from UPV stormed into the offices of Globovision [while images were being broadcast from its staion] and fired tear gas into the premises. While 34 radio stations have been forced off the air and more are being investigated, Globovision is also feeling pressure from the Chavez Government.

The Chavez Government in Venezuela [like other governments in the American Continent such as Cuba [Castro], USA [Democrats/Republicans], Ecuador [Correa], and Bolivia [Morales]] use terms such as "defamation", "slander", and "illegal use of broadcast concessions" as a euphemism for censorship of the press.

It is surreal that Chavez and his fellow heads of states and politicians have condemned events in Honduras while practicing repression against the press in their countries. It is also surreal that people who talk about the lack of freedom in Iran have not protested this latest assault on freedom of the press.

It appears that the fight for freedom of the press is selective. It is easy for the OAS to condemn Honduras but not one condemnation for Chavez and the rest of the continent. The same applies to other international organizations.

It is a disgrace and an act of sheer hypocrisy when people are silent about press freedom. The pattern has been the same since the world is turning. I can only use the quotes of Pastor Father Niemoller from Germany who wrote these quotes during the times of Nazi Rule to explain indifference and silent.

"First they came for the Jews, but I did nothing because I am not a Jew. Then they came for the Socialists, but I did nothing because I am not Socialist. Then they came for the Catholics, but I did nothing because I am not Catholic. Finally, they came for me, but by then there was no one left to help me" Pastor Father Niemoller