Yesterday opposition news channel Globovision went to the Administrative Dispute Court to appeal a large fine levied against it for inciting fear. Four opposition candidates arrived outside the court to “rally” to the channel’s political cause.
Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) imposed a US$ 2.16 million (Bs 9.3 million) penalty yesterday on right wing news station Globovision, equivalent to 7.5% of its gross income in 2010, for manipulation and causing fear with its coverage of the El Rodeo Prison hostage situation.
On Wednesday Venezuela’s Oswaldo Alvarez Paz was formally convicted of “spreading false information” to the general public by making unsubstantiated claims on national television that his country had “become a safe haven for drug trafficking and terrorism.”
Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Committee (CONATEL) has instigated proceedings against private TV station Globovisión, confirmed the committee’s Director, Pedro Maldonado, this Thursday.
Emersberger writes to Amnesty International, criticising one of its "urgent action" notes where it argues that "criticis" of the Venezuelan government are being shut down and "detained".
On Tuesday the Venezuelan government officially became a minority shareholder in the privately-owned opposition television station Globovisión. According to a legal decision made public on Monday, Venezuela’s Superintendent of Banks (Sudeban) has formally liquidated Sindicato Avila, a 20% owner of Globovisión.
The Venezuelan government held a special event in the National Assembly on Tuesday to express its opposition to a recent meeting held in the U.S. Congress between U.S. legislators and members of Latin America’s right-wing elite.
On Saturday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez denounced plans by opposition forces to offer US$100 million to assassinate him. He said fugitive media mogul Guillermo Zuloaga was partly responsible for the plot, and that Zuloaga’s television station, Globovision, could face government intervention as a result.
By Edward Ellis - Correo del Orinoco International, Aug 5th 2010
Venezuelan president HugoChavez announced last week that his government will soon possess 48% of the stock of the oppositiontelevision station Globovision,entitling it to appoint agovernment member to the private channel’s board of directors.In recent years, Globovision has become the leading political voice for the anti-Chavez movement.
By Federico Fuentes - Green Left Weekly, Jul 28th 2010
Recent moves by the Venezuelan government, which now claims almost 50% of the shares in a pro-coup TV station and revoked the concession of another, represent new steps towards reclaiming the media for the people.
