Posted on 12/03/2006 5:13:13 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez backed the possibility of holding a national referendum, if he's re-elected, on whether to shut down private television stations that he has accused of subversive activities.
Chavez's comments late Thursday came amid rising tensions between the government and the country's largely opposition-aligned private media ahead of Sunday's vote.
Chavez was asked in a televised interview if he would consider asking the nation whether the government should block certain channels from renewing their broadcast licenses next year.
"That is perfectly possible," Chavez said. "It's perfectly possible that the country gives its opinion, including for how long."
Chavez also said he regretted not having shut down the country's major private broadcasters right after a short-lived 2002 coup against him, citing four in particular: Globovision, Venevision, RCTV and Televen.
Chavez has clashed with the country's private television and radio networks, which are often highly critical of his government and have favored the opposition in recent years.
During the coup, several TV channels chose to broadcast cartoons and movies instead of his return to power by loyalists in the military amid a popular uprising.
Many media outlets also supported a devastating 2003 strike that failed to unseat Chavez.
In the run-up to Sunday's vote, Chavez has warned that he may refuse to renew their licenses, accusing them of fomenting conspiracies against his government, and also said he's ready to shut down any that try to disrupt the election.
On Thursday, he threatened immediately to shut down any outlet that defies electoral rules prohibiting exit polls and other unofficial counts from being reported until after the National Electoral Council issues its preliminary bulletin.
"You can be sure that they will be closed for breaching the law," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
I'm sure MSM will be outraged at this...
El Presidente-for-life needs to be room temperature.
The fairness doctrine. The Democrat/MSM party will be envious.
"I'm sure MSM will be outraged at this..."
If they are not outraged then maybe we can do the same thing here in this country starting with CBS.
He must be jealous of Kim Jong Il. That smell of sulphur just keeps wafting out of his mouth!
Well, if the people vote for it...
You can't tell me we don't have ONE sniper that could sneak into Venezuela and put a bullet in that SOB's head.
I'm sure I'll hear outcries that THugo is creating a chill wind from liberals and the MSM!
How many Liberals here would like to "regulate" the internet
& enact the "fainess doctrine" here in order to shut up the conservatives? With Nancy & Harry in power there may be moves in this direction.
There goes press coverage. So typical of a tin-pot dictator like Chavez.
How long will it be before all of Central America is Communist, along with Mexico?
Chavez is president for life. He has been president for life since the day he walked into Miraflores.
The only question now is whether he will die of natural causes. He is still a fairly young man, he could easily remain in office for 3 or 4 more decades. But he will be president of Venezuela until the day he dies. Venezuelans need to get used to it, and draw the appropriate conclusions.
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