Venezuelan TV station Radio Caracas Television's (known as RCTV) VHF Channel 2's operating license expired May 27, and it went off the air because the Chavez government, with ample justification, chose not to renew it. RCTV was the nation's oldest private broadcaster, operating since 1953. It's also had a tainted record of airing Venezuela's most hard right yellow journalism, consistently showing a lack of ethics, integrity or professional standards in how it operated as required by the law it arrogantly flaunted.
Starting May 28, a new public TV station (TVES) replaces it bringing Venezuelans a diverse range of new programming TV channel Vive president, Blanca Eckhout, says will "promot(e) the participation and involvement of all Venezuelans in the task of communication (as an alternative to) the media concentration of the radio-electric spectrum that remains in the hands of a (dominant corporate) minority sector" representing elitist business interests, not the people.
Along with the other four major corporate-owned dominant television channels (controlling 90% of the nation's TV market), RCTV played a leading role instigating and supporting the aborted April, 2002 two-day coup against President Chavez mass public opposition on the streets helped overturn restoring Chavez to office and likely saving his life. Later in the year, these stations conspired again as active participants in the economically devastating 2002-03 main trade union confederation (CTV) chamber of commerce (Fedecameras) lockout and industry-wide oil strike including willful sabotage against state oil company PDVSA costing it an estimated $14 billion in lost revenue and damage.
This writer explained the dominant corporate media's active role in
these events in an extended January, 2007 article titled "Venezuela's
RCTV Acts of Sedition." It presented conclusive evidence RCTV and the
other four corporate-run TV stations violated Venezuela's Law of Social
Responsibility for Radio and Television (LSR). That law guarantees
freedom of expression without censorship but prohibits, as it should,
transmission of messages illegally promoting, apologizing for, or
inciting disobedience to the law that includes enlisting public support
for the overthrow of a democratically elected president and his
government.
In spite of their lawlessness, the Chavez government treated all five
broadcasters gently opting not to prosecute them, but merely refusing
to renew one of RCTV's operating licenses (its VHF one) when it expired
May 27 (its cable and satellite operations are unaffected) a mere
slap on the wrist for a media enterprise's active role in trying to
overthrow the democratically elected Venezuelan president and his
government. The article explained if an individual or organization of
any kind incited public hostility, violence and anti-government
rebellion under Section 2384 of the US code, Title 18, they would be
subject to fine and/or imprisonment for up to 20 years for the crime of
sedition.
They might also be subject to prosecution for treason under Article 3,
Section 3 of the US Constitution stating: "Treason against the United
States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering
to their enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort" such as instigating an
insurrection or rebellion and/or sabotage to a national defense utility
that could include state oil company PDVSA's facilities vital to the
operation and economic viability of the country and welfare of its
people. It would be for US courts to decide if conspiring to overthrow
a democratically government conformed to this definition, but it's hard
imagining it would not at least convict offenders of sedition.
Opposition Response to the Chavez Government Action
So far, the dominant Venezuelan media's response to RCTV's shutdown has
been relatively muted, but it remains to be seen for how long. However,
for media outside the country, it's a different story with BBC one
example of misreporting in its usual style of deference to power
interests at home and abroad. May 28 on the World Service, it reported
RCTV's license wasn't renewed because "it supported opposition
candidates" in a gross perversion of the facts, but that's how BBC
operates.
BBC online was more nuanced and measured, but nonetheless off the mark
in key comments like reporting "Hundreds of thousands of people took to
the streets in Caracas Sunday, some to celebrate, others to protest"
RCTV's shuttering. Unexplained was that Chavez supporters way
outnumbered opponents who nearly always are part of
rightist/corporate-led staged for the media events in contrast to
spontaneous pro-government crowds assembling in huge numbers at times,
especially whenever Chavez addresses them publicly.
BBC also exaggerated "skirmishes" on the streets with "Police us(ing)
tear gas and water cannons to disperse (crowds) and driving through the
streets on motorbikes, officers fired plastic bullets in the air." It
also underplayed pro-government supportive responses while blaring
opposition ones like "Chavez thinks he owns the country. Well, he
doesn't." Another was "No to the closure. Freedom." And still another
was "Everyone has the right to watch what they want. He can't take away
this channel." BBC played it up commenting "As the afternoon drew on,
the protests got louder." The atmosphere became nasty. Shots were fired
in the air and people ran for cover. It was not clear who was firing"
when it's nearly always clear as it's been in the past anti-Chavistas
sent to the streets to stir up trouble and blame it on Chavez.
BBC's commentary ended saying "The arguments highlight, once again, how
deeply divided Venezuela is." Unmentioned was that division is about 70
80% pro-Chavez, around 20% opposed (the more privileged "sifrino"
class), and a small percentage pro and con between them.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The
Steve Lendman News and Information Hour on TheMicroEffect.com Saturdays
at noon US central time.
What is the political ideology of the Atlantic Free Press?
1
May 29, 2007
a guest: Publisher...
I live in Holland - where there is a broad range of political parties and this year I voted Pvda which is considered Left of center in Holland. Through an American political lens it's probably everything Left of Kucinich. Here in the Netherlands - healthcare is affordable, university is free... old people get a reasonable pension (all of them) to the tune of about 1200 euro. People who are out of work actually get paid enough to survive and there are plenty of retraining programs.
Most of the writers are American and range between your 'Ron Paul' Libertarians to some hard Leftists. I would say we are all anti-war and most of us are not fans of American Neoconservatives or Neoliberals and their puppets.
Is the Venezuelan Government paying you for this article? Or are you part of a Communist Party. You got it wrong buddy 80% of Venezuelans are against Chavez. Did you know he didn't really win the past election.
3
May 29, 2007
a guest: Escualido
Sorry but Mr Lendman once again missed the mark on Venezuela. He is so misinformed that it is worth quoting Pastor Martin Niemller once agsain:
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
4
May 30, 2007
a guest: Good for the people of Venezuela
I am glad to see a more representational tv station is replacing the old misused elitist one. Public airwaves should be used for the public's well being, not just for private wealth making. I would like to know more about the new programing.
5
June 04, 2007
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Venezuelan TV station Radio Caracas Television's (known as RCTV) VHF Channel 2's operating license expired May 27, and it went off the air because the Chavez government, with ample justification, chose not to renew it. RCTV was the nation's oldest private broadcaster, operating since 1953. It's also had a tainted record of airing Venezuela's most hard right yellow journalism, consistently showing a lack of ethics, integrity or professional standards in how it operated as required by the law it arrogantly flaunted.
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