Opposition humorists, Chavez allies hold dual rallies on anniversary of failed coup ***
"Did you know that Chavez is traveling to Cuba on Sunday?" joked comedian Manuel Graterol on Monday night. "Yes, because it's Father's Day," he said, alluding to Chavez's admiration for Cuban President Fidel Castro. CARACAS, Venezuela - They admit it was no laughing matter. But anti-government humorists couldn't resist using their talent to mark two months since a bloody opposition march that helped spark a failed coup against President Hugo Chavez.
Standup comedians and political cartoonists led hundreds of flag-waving, pot-banging Venezuelans in a rally Tuesday to demand justice for those who died in three days of upheaval that deposed and quickly reinstated Chavez. "This is a very sad time for us, but the people are going to continue making humor," said Pedro Leon Zapata, a renowned artist and political cartoonist for El Nacional newspaper.
Also in downtown Caracas, the capital, hundreds of Chavez sympathizers held their own rally to protest an opposition campaign to oust the president through a popular referendum. "I am here to support Chavez," said Nancy Cepeda, 36, surrounded by hundreds of people waving posters of the populist former paratrooper and wearing knockoffs of his trademark red military beret. "We would be living in a dictatorship if Chavez had not returned."***
International journalists group warns media bias, Chavez's threats hurting press freedom in Venezuela *** CARACAS, Venezuela - The International Federation of Journalists warned that both blatant media bias against President Hugo Chavez and the president's verbal threats against the press are threatening press freedoms in Venezuela. "The media have got to take themselves out of the political process," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. "And it's quite clear that some sections of the media have been actively engaged in the political process in a way that is an impediment to free and independent journalism." White added that Chavez's "strong, provocative and powerful attacks on media ... has created a difficult atmosphere of confrontation."***