President Hugo Chávez's government is imposing new regulations on cable television while revoking the broadcast licenses of more than 200 radio stations. The new regulations will soon require cable television companies that use largely locally produced content to comply with Venezuelan laws for broadcasters, said Diosdado Cabello, the country's top telecommunications official. Cabello, who is also the public works minister, said in a speech to the National Assembly that "the revolution hasn't touched this sector at all, and the time has come for us to get a handle" on it. He said that cable channels with at least 30 percent of their content produced abroad would be exempt, but that other channels using primarily Venezuelan-produced programming would need to comply. Venezuela's strict broadcast laws include a measure requiring all broadcasters to carry Chávez's speeches when he says so. Cabello said the new rules would start on Friday.
This is a narrow & skewed assessment of recent media policy in Venezuela. While what is reported is true, much has been left out. For instance, the government is moving to limit media concentration and return more broadcast licenses to community-based stations. I'd think these moves would be applauded but AP & the NY Times have always been hostile to anything Chávez has done.
This is a narrow & skewed assessment of recent media policy in Venezuela. While what is reported is true, much has been left out. For instance, the government is moving to limit media concentration and return more broadcast licenses to community-based stations. I'd think these moves would be applauded but AP & the NY Times have always been hostile to anything Chávez has done.
For an alternate view check out this article.
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