Thread: Chavez moves on

Originally Posted by attaboy

He just extinguished their means to communicate.

That's an exaggeration.
To be precise, the expired license wasn't renewed for reasons already mentioned.
What I am critical of, is that there was no bidding for another private broadcaster, but it was replaced by a state-run service.
Now, this is indeed objectionable.

Here's another article. I'm not sure of the details of the allegations or the veracity of all that's in here. I'm interested in checking out this CNN alleged juxtapositioning.

Venezuela to sue CNN

Venezuela says it will file charges against US cable network CNN for linking President Hugo Chavez to Al Qaeda.
It says it will also sue a Venezuelan TV network for encouraging Mr Chavez's assassination.
The move comes a day after popular Venezuelan TV network RCTV went off the air after the Chavez Government cancelled its broadcast licence.

Information Minister William Lara has presented what he says is CNN footage displaying pictures of Mr Chavez juxtaposed with those of an Al Qaeda leader.

Mr Lara says CNN also aired a story about the Venezuelan protests but used images taken in Mexico of an unrelated story.
"CNN broadcast a lie which linked President Chavez to violence and murder," he said.

Denial

CNN has issued a statement strongly denying being "engaged in a campaign to discredit or attack Venezuela".
The news network has acknowledged a video mix-up and "aired a detailed correction and expressed regret for the involuntary error".
Regarding the Al Qaeda leader, the network says "unrelated news stories can be juxtaposed in a given program segment just as a newspaper page or a news website may have unconnected stories adjacent to each other".
The Venezuelan Government has also filed charges against local network Globovision for what it says was indirectly encouraging Mr Chavez's murder by airing footage of the 1981 assassination attempt on late pope John Paul II.
"In my view, this television network, in this specific part of its programming, committed the offence of incitement to assassination against the Venezuelan head of state," Mr Lara said.
Protests

The charges come amid protests against Mr Chavez's shutdown of RCTV, a privately-owned broadcaster of popular comedy and drama shows that was boldly critical of the Venezuelan President.
After 54 years on the air, RCTV went black at midnight on Sunday after the Government refused to renew its licence.
It was promptly replaced by TVes, a state-backed socialist station that began broadcasting cultural shows.
On Monday, several people were injured as Caracas police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to put down a demonstration against the RCTV shutdown.

Link: Venezuela to sue CNN. 29/05/2007. ABC News Online

Originally Posted by stroller

What I am critical of, is that there was no bidding for another private broadcaster, but it was replaced by a state-run service.
Now, this is indeed objectionable.

Do you seriously believe Chavez would allow any broadcaster to be critical of his government?

Originally Posted by stroller

the license of that violence inciting TV station not being renewed. Has this got anything to do with 'freespeech'

You're joking, right?

Originally Posted by DrBOb

If you are genuinely opposed to him you should be able to support your position without also having to support thieves, liars, and murderers.

How, if the opposition's media has been shut down? Is shutting down an entire broadcaster and the only remaining media voice of opposition an example of this?

Originally Posted by DrBOb

On Monday, several people were injured as Caracas police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to put down a demonstration against the RCTV shutdown.

Is that what you mean when you refer to "freedom, democracy, or justice"?

Originally Posted by Milkman

indirectly encouraging Mr Chavez's murder by airing footage of the 1981 assassination attempt on late pope John Paul II.

Oh yes, what an obvious connection!

Amazing how quickly and how willingly people can condone a leader who is obviously consolidating his power, not muzzling but eliminating all media opposition and changing the law so he can rule indefinitely. And you lot are applauding from the sidelines!

well, let's not forget that the opposition scums were conspiring with the CIA to overthrow Chavez and did manage to seize power for a few days. That's not opposition, that's treason. They are lucky not to be in prison. The Media was complacent when that happened and were conspiring with the opposition. They should have been shutdown the next morning when Chavez took back his power. Long overdue.

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Is that what you mean when you refer to "freedom, democracy, or justice"?

How are illegal mass-demonstrations in your country dealt with by authorities?

Originally Posted by DrB0b

That's a little silly, it all depends on context, I've had rubber/plastic bullets, tear gas, stun grenades, and water cannons directed at me in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the Czech Republic (and of course Northern Ireland) among other less free, democratic, and just countries. I've been batoned and had police horses trample me in London, Dublin, Glasgow, and Manchester

Bloody trouble maker!

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by DrB0b

That's a little silly, it all depends on context, I've had rubber/plastic bullets, tear gas, stun grenades, and water cannons directed at me in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the Czech Republic (and of course Northern Ireland) among other less free, democratic, and just countries. I've been batoned and had police horses trample me in London, Dublin, Glasgow, and Manchester

Bloody trouble maker!

Why do you think I'm hiding out in SE Asia?

Sounds like CNN is doing something right for a change.

"Venezuela says it will file charges against US cable network CNN for linking President Hugo Chavez to Al Qaeda. It says it will also sue a Venezuelan TV network for encouraging Mr Chavez's assassination."

Hadn't you realised CNN is a US propaganda network, until now?

Time to switch to the BBC for independent reporting.

Originally Posted by stroller

Hadn't you realised CNN is a US propaganda network, until now?

Time to switch to the BBC for independent reporting.

Well, they didn't get the nick of Commie News Network for nothin'.
Also used to be referred to as the Clinton News Network.
I can't get BBC where I am now...

Al-Jazeera has an interesting angle as well:
Chavez defies US with energy summit

Words of wisdom, also quoted on Al Jazeera:

Hugo Chavez:
[...]

In 50 years, the U.S. consumed the energy consumed by humanity in 150 years. Now, they are working to take control of the petroleum of the peoples, in order to consume it, just like Dracula. They are like Count Dracula - always in search of petrol and blood. Why? Because they want to preserve something transient - the American imperialistic way of life.

[...]

In all honesty, I say that it is the U.S. that should formulate a plan for post-imperialism. American society cannot and should not come to an end, but the imperialism of the fascist elite will. We must defeat imperialism in this century, so that this elite will not annihilate the world.
...

MEMRI TV

I agree with you for once then ... but I still can't stand you.

Originally Posted by stroller

What I am critical of, is that there was no bidding for another private broadcaster, but it was replaced by a state-run service.
Now, this is indeed objectionable.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Well, they didn't get the nick of Commie News Network for nothin'. Also used to be referred to as the Clinton News Network. I can't get BBC where I am now...

I've started to soften on the commine pinko liberal fucktards now that I'm in Thailand ... these expats are bombarded by CNN and BBC and also the Bangkok Post. It's probably a difficult challnege to have a different point of view when you're bombarded by the left wing garbage all of the time.

When to JUSMAG today just to get a different point of view since they got FOX here.

Missing the cosy safety of militarily indoctrinated company?

Welcome to the real world!

Faux news is pure drug for those who don't want to engage their brain for more than a few minutes

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

When to JUSMAG today just to get a different point of view since they got FOX here.

At Jusmag.

Say hi the "Peter" for me.

A good guy. Right off of Satorn.


And as for FOX, it's just as bad as CNN, NYTIMES, Washingtonpost, MSNBC, and almost as bad as the BBC.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

well, let's not forget that the opposition scums were conspiring with the CIA to overthrow Chavez and did manage to seize power for a few days. That's not opposition, that's treason.

Is it "treason" because you're a Chavez fan?

Originally Posted by Butterfly

They are lucky not to be in prison. The Media was complacent when that happened and were conspiring with the opposition.

None are in prison? All the media was "complacent?"

Originally Posted by Butterfly

They should have been shutdown the next morning when Chavez took back his power. Long overdue.

Yes, let's applaud the forceable shutdown of a media outlet. Hooray. How about Chavez changing the law so he can rule indefinitely? Are you applauding that as well?

Originally Posted by DrB0b

When they start dropping people out of helicopters or dragging them off to secretive island prisons where nobody can see what's going on, that's the time to start to start talking about oppressive techniques.

Oh, that's when you do it - when it's too late to prevent it.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Chavez may well turn out to be yet another dicator

You think so?

Originally Posted by Milkman

The point of my article above is that I am also suspicious of CNN and other American media outlets trying to portray Chavez as a "threat" (deja vu).

Pat Robertson has publicly called for his assassination on TV.

I am also very suspicious of the American media.

Great, so am I; doesn't mean this isn't the start of another autocratic regime.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

The opposition media hasn't been shut down. Most of the media is opposed to Chavez and most of that media is still a going concern.

What media?

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Originally Posted by stroller

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Is that what you mean when you refer to "freedom, democracy, or justice"?

How are illegal mass-demonstrations in your country dealt with by authorities?

In Canada, they happen routinely; it's called: "freedom of association."

Then Canada is quite unique in the world.

Originally Posted by stroller

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky;315089it's called: "freedom of association."[/QUOTE

Stroller:

Then Canada is quite unique in the world.

There are some restrictions on the freedom of speech in Canada.

Perhaps a Canadian citizen can inform us on them.