Monday 14

Former VP Rangel ready to respect likely ruling favoring RCTV
Former Venezuelan Vice-President José Vicente Rangel on Sunday said any ruling the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) may issue banning discontinuance of 53-year-old television station RCTV operations should be respected, as it would be a decision made by an autonomous body of the Venezuelan State.

Government creates state TV station to replace RCTV
A foundation governing state Venezuelan Social Television Station (Teves) -which is to replace private TV channel RCTV- has been organized, as stated in a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on Monday.
 
The new television station will be attached to the Ministry of Communication and Information, as provided for under the presidential decree, with its headquarters located in Caracas. Teves will be authorized to operate nationwide and abroad.
 
Demonstrators ask top court to speed up ruling on RCTV case
Dozens of journalists demonstrated Monday outside the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) asking the top court to speed up its ruling on the legal actions filed by private television station RCTV.

European Popular Party to promote resolution against closure of RCTV
Conservative European Popular Party (EPP) is presenting a motion at the European Parliament to endorse a resolution rejecting the Venezuelan Government's decision not to renew the broadcast license to private television station RCTV, Spanish members of PPE told Efe.

The draft resolution is expected to be debated and voted in the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasburg, France, next week, before RCTV license expires next May 27.

Government: RCTV may broadcast on cable or satellite
Minister of Communication and Information William Lara said private television station RCTV would be able to broadcast on cable or satellite following May 27, the date when its broadcast license to operate in open free radio frequency expires.

Lara reassured that as of May 27, RCTV "may continue transmission on satellite or cable. They have a right to do so and nobody will deny it."

Venezuelan FM suggest IACHR to review censorship in the US
"They are people paid to say what they say. Answering to them has no sense," said Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs when asked about the remarks made by the head of the Latin American Parties Union and former Salvadorian President Armando Calderón Sol, who urged the Venezuelan Government to reconsider its move not to renew a broadcast license for private television station RCTV.
 
Regarding the criticisms of Ignacio Álvarez, the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), rejecting the move against RCTV, who claimed that "decisions (in connection with broadcast license renewals) shall not be made based on the media's editorial stance or on discriminatory criteria," Maduro replied that IACHR should take into account the cases of "previous censorship" in the United States, adding that in this country there exists a "media dictatorship."

"George W. Bush' administration has drafted manuals to control television broadcasts and does not allow disclosure of the bodies of the young US soldiers killed in Iraq."

Government launches campaign in Costa Rica on press freedom
The government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez launched Monday in Costa Rica "a campaign for truth" in order to prove that there is freedom of expression and counter criticism of impending closing of TV channel RCTV.

The move has been implemented also elsewhere in Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia, as well as in Spain and the United States, AFP reported.

Tuesday 15

Brazilian editors reject claims on RCTV case
An organization of Venezuelan reporters claimed in Brasilia that Brazilian and Venezuelan journalists are staging a destabilization campaign against President Hugo Chávez' Government, which is facing protests following his decision not to renew the broadcast license for private television station RCTV.

Marcos Hernández, a member of Periodistas por la Verdad , a group comprising some 3,000 reporters, said that Brazilian newspapers O Globo and O Estado de Sao Paulo are involved in such a plot, as well as the Venezuelan Press Bloc, which includes newspapers El Nacional and El Universal and TV news station Globovisión, AFP added.

"This claims is an absurdity lacking any credibility and is completely insane," Ascanio Seleme, O Globo's editor-in-chief, told AFP.

When asked about the accusations made by Reporters for the Truth, Roberto Gazzi, O Estado de Sao Paulo's editor-in-chief, replied "this newspaper has no intention to overthrow any governments, but to show the moves that undermine democracy."

PPE criticism of Venezuela labeled as biased
Venezuelan journalist Jorge Arreaza called Tuesday "biased and meddling" the attempt of European People's Party (EPP) to prompt at the European Parliament a resolution critical of the decision made by the Venezuelan government not to renew a broadcast license for TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV).

State TV stations fail to comply with content law
"I have to be self-critical in this, I admit state television stations (VIVE TV and VTV) do not fully comply with the Radio and Television Social Responsibility Law (Resorte)," Minister of Communication and Information Willian Lara told the official television station VTV.

"That is a serious statement to do!," replied reporter Ernesto Villegas, host of VTV morning talk show En Confianza. "We admit that. We still have flaws. We are taking corrective measures to fully comply with the laws."

European Socialist Party to speak also against RCTV closure
The group of the European Socialist Party (PSE) will join the European People's Party (EPP) to spike a draft resolution critical of the Venezuelan government decision not to renew a broadcast license for private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV), socialist sources told Efe.

According to the sources, the initiative taken by Spanish Luis Yáñez-Barnuevo refers to the criticism made by the Chilean Senate or NGO Reporters without Borders against the government action.

Wednesday 16

Venezuelan Government with full control over board of Teves
While Minister of Communication and Information William Lara warned that the editorial stance of the new state public service Venezuelan Social Television Channel (Teves) would not be dictated by his office, but by Teves board, five of the seven members of the steering committee and their alternates will be appointed by the Venezuelan Executive Branch.

The organizations of users recorded with the National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) are to designate the sixth member of Teves board, while the seventh shall be named by the representatives of domestic independent producers registered with the Ministry of Communication and Information, according to the memorandum of incorporation of Teves Foundation, as published in the Official Gazette edition No. 354393.

Rally against RCTV closure
Opposition Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT) party invited people rejecting non-renewal of private television station RCTV to join a demonstration next May 19 in Caracas.

Granier confident that RCTV will avoid closure
Marcel Granier, president of private television station RCTV, Wednesday showed confidence that either the Venezuelan justice would rule for RCTV or the government would reconsider its decision not to renew the broadcast license, thus allowing the TV network to continue using the state free open signal following May 27, when the license expires.

"The problem will be solved by that date, either because President Hugo Chávez will have reconsidered his decision or because the Supreme Tribunal of Justice will have played its role," Granier told local TV news channel Globovisión, Efe reported.

RCTV staff takes action to protect their rights
Employees of private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) filed on Wednesday at the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) an action for protection of their rights and requested also a precautionary measure.
 
Legal counsel Moirah Sánchez said that the move is intended to defend the workers' rights to freedom of expression and mental and moral integrity as the channel will be taken off the air due to the impending government non-renewal of a broadcast license.

Euro-congressman rules out any decision on RCTV case
Giusto Catania, Vice-President of the European Parliament Freedom Commission, said on Wednesday that the body will hardly speak up as to non-renewal by the Venezuelan government of a broadcast license for private TV channel RCTV.

The leftwing congressman rebutted a proposal made by the conservative group to include the RCTV issue as an item in the agenda, as he does not think that it is related to human rights abuses.

Thursday 17

Ex President: only foreign pressure will prevent closure of RCTV
"Only international pressures will prevent Hugo Chávez from slapping again seriously undermined freedom of expression in Venezuela (...) Only the determined condemnation from community parliaments, such as that of the European Union, and parliaments in neighbor countries, or precautionary measures issued by the Inter-American system, will force him to reconsider his stance."

These remarks were made from Miami by former Venezuelan President Carlos Andrés Pérez on the Venezuelan Government's move to close down private television station RCTV next May 27.

Rosales calls for European Parliament support to face "threats against democracy"
During a meeting with representatives of the European Parliament, former opposition presidential candidate and current governor of northwestern Zulia state Manuel Rosales called for the European lawmakers' solidarity and support vis-à-vis "threats facing both democracy and freedom of expression" in Venezuela.   

Teves programming is ready
The programming is ready for Fundación Televisora Venezolana Social (Teves), the new TV channel that will be born on May 28th following the expiration date of the broadcast license for private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV).

"The table is set and it is Venezuelan," Communication and Information Minister William Lara told reporters Thursday.

One-kilometer placard for freedom of expression
During an event called "Journalist united for freedom" to be held next Monday 21st in Caracas, a substantial group of reporters and ordinary people committed to freedom of thought and expression plans to display "the largest placard in Latin America."

A one-kilometer placard will be exhibited in defense of fundamental rights as private TV channel RCTV is at risk of being taken off the air due to the government decision not to renew a broadcast license.

Súmate meets with European congressmen
María Corina Machado, acting as representative of NGO Súmate, told Thursday a delegation of European parliamentarians on visit in Venezuela that the advocacy of freedom of expression is a question of principles.

Reference was made to the government failure to renew a broadcast license for private TV channel RCTV.

Government delegation explains in Madrid non-renewal of RCTV license
The Venezuelan government will use the frequency of TV channel RCTV for a new "democratic channel that will mirror the whole country," explained Thursday Vive TV CEO Blanca Eekhout.

Eekhout, along with Ayacucho Foundation managing director Jorge Arreaza, writer Luis Britto and actress Jennifer Flores, are part of the "Campaign for Truth." The campaign has been launched by the government in an effort to counter the allegations of RCTV tycoon Marcel Granier.

Friday 18

Top court dismisses petition to protect RCTV rights
The Constitutional Court, Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), issued a ruling late Thursday prepared by justice Luisa Estella Morales dismissing a petition filed by Marcel Granier, private television station RCTV and others seeking protection of their constitutional rights in the face of the impending closure of the TV channel.

RCTV legal counsel Oswaldo Quintana said the ruling issued by the Constitutional Court does not amount to closure of this case. He explained that decisions are pending in connection with other actions filed with the Political-Administrative Court, TSJ, as well as other petitions submitted by RCTV's reporters, workers and officers arguing freedom of expression violations

Euro-parliamentarians meet with opposition leaders over RCTV case
A five-member mission of deputies for the European People's Party (EPP) visiting Venezuela meet with several opposition parties and non-governmental organizations on Wednesday and Thursday, with a view to prepare a report on the situation surrounding President Hugo Chávez government's decision not to renew the broadcast license for private television channel RCTV.

While in their agenda, the European parliamentarians on Thursday could not meet with deputy Cilia Flores (ruling party MVR), the Chair of the Venezuelan Legislature, who cancelled the meeting at the eleventh hour. She was the only pro-government spokesman who had agreed to meet with the delegation.

"PP lied to the European Parliament about RCTV case"
Venezuelan Ambassador to the European Union Alejandro Fleming Friday claimed the Spanish People's Party (PP) lied to the European Parliament about non-renewal by the Venezuelan Government of the broadcast license for private television station RCTV and that the party sent a mission to Caracas "simply as an excuse for their political stance" against President Hugo Chávez, Efe reported.

In a communiqué, Fleming attributed to the Spanish PP the initiative to send such delegation to Venezuela, adding that the mission "is not official, let alone plural" and "only represents the European rightwing."

European deputies regret failure to meet with Venezuelan officials
Five European People's Party (EPP) parliamentarians visiting Venezuela Friday in a news conference regretted the fact that they did not meet with Venezuelan officials to address President Hugo Chávez government's decision not to renew the broadcast license to private television channel RCTV.

"Over the last two intense days we have met with anyone willing to talk with us, with the people we were scheduled to meet, and with others who want to meet with us in the last minute," Fernando Fernández told reporters in a news conference.
 
Telesur CEO advocates top court ruling against RCTV
Andrés Izarra, CEO of Latin American multi-state television network Telesur and former Minister of Information and Communication, Friday showed satisfaction at a ruling issued by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice dismissing an action seeking protection of the constitutional rights of private television station RCTV, faced with the government refusal to renew its broadcast license.

Izarra added that the ruling abides by the law and reasserts the Venezuelan government's right to enact laws governing communicational matters.

Insulza: RCTV case will be solved by Venezuelan courts
José Miguel Insulza, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Friday said it is up to the Venezuelan courts to solve a dispute over the renewal by the Venezuelan government of a broadcast license for private television network RCTV.
Insulza in Spain told Efe that "the only problem facing Venezuela, like in many other countries, is the fact that the State is empowered to grant and renew television licenses." Therefore, he added, "beyond my personal opinion, this issue will be solved legally in Venezuela."

Venezuelan journalists brief European deputies on status of freedom of expression
A group of Venezuelan journalists Friday met with European parliamentarians visiting Caracas and delivered a document summarizing the status of freedom of expression in Venezuela.

The document describes human rights violations reported over the time, said reported Ana María Fernández.

She added that the issue of private television station RCTV was not addressed particularly. In general, they discussed deterioration of freedom of expression in Venezuela.

Government not to accept foreign meddling in RCTV case
The Venezuelan government will not assume any interference from the international community in the case of non-renewal of a broadcast license for private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV), said People's Power Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolás Maduro.

"It is a sovereign, legal and constitutional decision by Venezuela. We will not allow for anybody to meddle in Venezuela's internal affairs. In the event of an international debate, we will take part in it, but beware of interfering with our internal affairs," the senior official told official TV channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV) after a meeting with foreign correspondents.

Communication Minister wants high court to back up government decision
People's Power Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology Jesse Chacón hopes that the next rulings to be issued by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) on private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) spike the government decision not to renew a broadcast license.

The TSJ constitutional court dismissed Thursday one of the petitions for protection of constitutional rights filed by RCTV CEO Marcel Granier. According to Chacón, such a move shows that there was no violation whatsoever.

He stated that the TSJ political-administrative court would be responsible for finding whether the action taken by the Telecommunications Minister was in accordance with the law.

RCTV tycoon complains about President Chávez' intolerance
When expiration of a broadcast license for private TV channel RCTV is ten days way, CEO Marcel Granier regretted that President Hugo Chávez intends to finish off "any different opinion."

"It is a political decision by a government very intolerant of any opinion different from the President's view," said Granier during an interview with AFP at the channel head offices downtown Caracas.