Chávez's bugbear
The Economist print edition
The harassment of Globovisión
TO CRITICS who call him an autocrat, Venezuela’s leftist president, Hugo Chávez, responds by pointing to a largely uncensored opposition media. Yet it is an argument that is wearing thin. Mr Chávez recently vowed to curb what he sees as the excesses of Globovisión, a 24-hour news channel that is his main bugbear. Closing it down may be the only way to do so.
Globovisión is the last remaining national channel that is critical of the government. It was one of four such channels that during Venezuela’s political conflict of 2002-04, to varying degrees, egged on an opposition that was determined to oust Mr Chávez. Two have since capitulated, firing controversial talk-show hosts and adjusting their news coverage. In 2007 the government’s broadcasting regulator refused to renew the licence of the fourth—Radio Caracas Televisión, which is now subscription-only.
Meanwhile, the government has built itself a huge media empire. Of the dozen free-to-air national television channels it controls six, as well as hundreds of radio stations and dozens of newspapers and magazines. These pump out pro-Chávez propaganda, interspersed with diatribes against the opposition and smears aimed at those who cross the president. In addition, the president has decreed his right to interrupt all radio and television broadcasts, without notice, for as long as he likes.
The Economist print edition
The harassment of Globovisión
TO CRITICS who call him an autocrat, Venezuela’s leftist president, Hugo Chávez, responds by pointing to a largely uncensored opposition media. Yet it is an argument that is wearing thin. Mr Chávez recently vowed to curb what he sees as the excesses of Globovisión, a 24-hour news channel that is his main bugbear. Closing it down may be the only way to do so.
Globovisión is the last remaining national channel that is critical of the government. It was one of four such channels that during Venezuela’s political conflict of 2002-04, to varying degrees, egged on an opposition that was determined to oust Mr Chávez. Two have since capitulated, firing controversial talk-show hosts and adjusting their news coverage. In 2007 the government’s broadcasting regulator refused to renew the licence of the fourth—Radio Caracas Televisión, which is now subscription-only.
Meanwhile, the government has built itself a huge media empire. Of the dozen free-to-air national television channels it controls six, as well as hundreds of radio stations and dozens of newspapers and magazines. These pump out pro-Chávez propaganda, interspersed with diatribes against the opposition and smears aimed at those who cross the president. In addition, the president has decreed his right to interrupt all radio and television broadcasts, without notice, for as long as he likes.
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