VENEZUELA HAS revoked the licences of dozens of radio stations as part of a wider crackdown which could jail people deemed guilty of “media crimes” for up to four years. At least 13 stations went off the air over the weekend and another 21 were expected to follow soon in an effort by President Hugo Chávez to extend his socialist revolution.
The move followed last week’s introduction of a draft law to jail journalists and broadcasters who “harm the interests of the state”, “cause panic” or “disturb social peace”.
Critics denounced the moves as a recipe for censorship. “What we are witnessing is the most comprehensive assault on free speech in Venezuela since Mr Chávez came to power,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch.
“With the exception of Cuba, Venezuela is the only country in the region that shows such flagrant disregard for universal standards of freedom of expression.”
The government’s telecommunications agency said it would revoke the licences of up to 240 radio stations, almost 40 per cent of the total, citing irregular paperwork. It said the closures were lawful. Mr Chávez applauded the decision and said the licences would be “given back to the people” in the form of broadcasters who shared his left-wing vision. – (Guardian service)