From the time Columbus set foot on these lands, we’ve been the fuel that has driven Capitalism and the enrichment of the former and actual world powers. As Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galeano so adequately put it, “developing” countries are actually undeveloped, and the state of being undeveloped is not a bridge to development, but a consequence of the development of other countries. Did you know that the governments of South American countries which are indebted to the U.S. and the IMF are required to allow the aforementioned international organisms to decide what their external policy is going to be, what they are going to do with their money, who they are going to sell their resources to and at what prices, and what they are going to buy from, say, the U.S., even though the country may have no demand for the items being bought? Argentina’s National Bank has a reserve of over 40,000 million dollars, but I just heard the other day that we had to ask for a loan of U$s 300 million to buy a new radar for one of our airports. How can this be? Simple, the money in our National Bank is not ours; the U.S. must be needing to finance another war to keep the American people distracted.

If you want to know the true story of South America and the “Infinite Injustice” that we have been made to suffer (and continue to endure) read Galeano’s book, “Las venas abiertas de Am?rica Latina” (Open Veins of Latin America). If you want to learn much more than you would want to know about how a group of select families (like the Rockefellers) rule the world and the U.S., read Walter Graziano’s “Hitler gan? la guerra” (that would be “Hitler Won the War” [my translation]. I don’t know if this one is available in English). Both books treat their respective topics very seriously and are thoroughly documented.

I’m glad there are people like you who know at least some of the truth and are willing to make others know. Thanks for letting me share.

The story in the media, not only international but also locally where I live, is that Chavez is losing support because of what he did to RCTV. Maybe not support in Venezuela, but international support.

With regards to the coup leaders, yes I have to agree they were incompetent. In “The Revolution will not be Televised”, you can see them discussing all their plans for the coup on TV. That’s just stupid.
But I don’t agree with you on what important role the media played. The important role as I see it, is the fact that the private media in Venezuela were giving a totally untrue and misleading account of what was happening in Venezuela and with Chavez. Even blaming deaths on him by manipulating video footage. That’s just wrong. I hate censorship, but any media company that is purposely and blatantly lying to people should be shut down. I hate lies and bad information just as much as censorship.

I haven’t yet seen Kidnap Express, but I will see it soon. You are downplaying the importance of “The Revolution will not be Televised” too much.

Chavez knows that
he doesn?t have to go round intimidating his opponents with violence.
They?re leaving and have left in their thousands for the last half
a dozen years.

And yet his opponents DO intimidate Chavez with violence and even assassination.

Chavez will consolidate
his power until its too late and then there will be numerous Neville
Chamberlains claiming that they didn?t realise that his closure of
RCTV had any real implications other than a realignment of internal
communications.

It will be interesting to see if Chavez will become what you say he will. Everyone, including me, is following his moves to see if he will go on the wrong path. But in any case, the closure of RCTV in my opinion was the right thing to do. Let the media learn to report facts to people.

Bush hasn?t shut down any
US Media or had Moore dealt with as RCTV has been handled.

Bush practically owns the US media. Please watch “Outfoxed” and “Orwell Rolls in his Grave”. With a media like that in the US, any dictator would love “democracy.” Bush doesn’t have to shut down the media because he controls it in different ways.

With all
his failings, the analogy of Bush being comparable to Hitler shows
a lapse of knowledge about Hitler, and more importantly, about the
people of the US.

On the contrary, you should probably check your knowledge of Bush and Hitler. I suggest you watch the movies on 9/11 which I listed here.

Thank you for taking the time to read my response to your piece defending
Chavez and the “closing” of RCTV. I know there will be some who will
argue that RCTV has not been closed, merely “realigned” towards satellite
and cable programming. I also know you can see excerpts of RCTV news
bulletins on YouTube but that is hardly what I would term a “continuing”
freedom of speech and expression. Such arguments remind me of the
adage that evil occurs when good men do nothing as I sense an intellectual
quality to the discussion rather than a practical grasp of the reality.

You ask “Is Chavez really stronger? Reports around the Internet seem
to suggest that he?s losing some of his support. And opposition in
Venezuela seems to be very strong still.”
He apparently mobilised over 300,000 people onto the streets of Caracas
over the weekend which is no mean feat for a weakening politician.
I think the question of whether this individual is getting stronger
after his success in elections in December for the second time, can
be definitely compared with one other of his ilk. In the early 1930′s
there were many uninformed commentators who were very quick to point
out the weakness of the German State and how it was being controlled
by the requirements of the Treaty of Versailles and that Herr Hitler
would never be a threat. (Interesting that senior Brazilian politicians
are also referring to Chavez as a “cheap Hitler”") If the opposition
is so strong, why has Chavez indicated his intention to be in power
for at least another additional termeven if he has to change the constitution…..If
he didn’t have oil, he would be merely regarded as a South American
Mugabe, as it is, he is becoming the Latin Gadafi and his closure
of RCTV is merely one part of the process.

You point out that “The media played an important role in the 2002
coup” I certainly don’t deny this. I merely point out that a far greater
factor in the success, or lack of it, of Venezuelan Coups is the incompetence
of the coup leaders.The control of the media reflects that incompetence
rather than the media deciding whether the coup will be successful
or not. The 2002 plotters did not destroy Canal 8….so the Chavez
Government were able to mobilise their supporters. The media played
an important role but it was the incompetence of the coup leaders
which allowed it to play that important role.

You mention that you were heavily influenced by the film “The Revolution
will not be Televised” If you want to get real and understand Venezuelan
life, I suggest you see the film “Secuestro Express” (Kidnap Express)
This was not filmed by a couple of Irish lads who had all sorts of
access to Chavez and only spent six months in Venezuela to get their
“insight”!This is a modern fictional film, filmed in the realities
of Caracas and made by Venezuelans who are not taken in by the superficial
impressions that the “Monsieur” (European foreigner) will get in the
corridors of the Miraflores Palace. Armed with the experience of the
film you may begin to appreciate that intellectual niceties of the
freedom of speech issue will not cut much ice with the remaining media
sources in Venezuela.

You suggest that Chavez could have been much worse. “Just look at
how he treated his opponents of the 2002 coup after they lost to him.
He just let them be, no punishment, no consequences,” Death Squads
and Desaparacidos are not the Venezuelan way.(Yet!) Chavez knows that
he doesn’t have to go round intimidating his opponents with violence.
They’re leaving and have left in their thousands for the last half
a dozen years. After his own failed coup, Chavez wasn’t taken outside
and disposed of………..That is not the way Venezuelans do things.
This can be clearly seen in 2002, when they had the chance, but the
plotters didn’t harm him! Even Perez Jimenez, a former dictator left
Caracas in a relatively untroubled way when he was overthrown. Chavez
is just following the Venezuelan way rather than being incredibly
generous to naughty media barons. It is this patent failure to understand
the Venezuelan way which demonstrates the inadequacies of the Irish
film and this lack of understanding spreads to the real reasons for
the closure of RCTV.

It is nice that we can debate the closure of RCTV and not worry about
the consequences. That luxury will soon disappear for the Venezuelan
people in Venezuela. As long as Chavez keeps the oil flowing Northwards
I don’t see any real take up of arms on behalf of the Venezuelan’s
right to freedom of speech and expression. Chavez will consolidate
his power until its too late and then there will be numerous Neville
Chamberlains claiming that they didn’t realise that his closure of
RCTV had any real implications other than a realignment of internal
communications. Not quite “Kristal nacht” but close to Book burning
scenarios. As you will find on the signs at the exits to most German
Concentration Camps “Those that forget the lessons of history are
doomed to repeat them.”

Chris

ps
Its also frightening to note that another shared characteristic between
Chavez and Hitler was the absence of a father from an early age! Bush’s
father still lives, Bush didn’t lead a failed coup. Bush didn’t change
the US flag and the name of his country. Bush hasn’t shut down any
US Media or had Moore dealt with as RCTV has been handled. With all
his failings, the analogy of Bush being comparable to Hitler shows
a lapse of knowledge about Hitler, and more importantly, about the
people of the US.

Thanks for your very long response.

You make the point that it is understandable that RCTV was refused
it?s license on the basis of its role in the 2002 coup against Chavez.
Whilst the point has merit, even the Venezuelans can?t justify a delay
of 5 years to support this case. The timing and the purpose of the
closure has far more significant than ??a mere slap on the wrist��?
as you suggest.

RCTV was not refused a renewal of their license only because of their role in the 2002 coup against Chavez, but also for many violations of the law with their broadcasting and their questionable journalistic ethics, of which their part in the 2002 coup was just an example. As you can see from news reports, even now that their license was not renewed, they continue with their practices.
As for the 5 years, I think the Venezuelan government waited for a good chance do be able to do something about them. Instead of forcing them to shut down years ago, they simply waited for their license to expire and presented a good case of why they will not renew it. After the coup Chavez also asked them to change their bad ways of journalism, as he is still doing today, and gave them lots of chances to do so, but as you can clearly see, they don’t listen. Please note that Chavez is NOT asking them to not be critical of him, but simply to be honest and objective.

Chavez is far stronger now than he was in 2002. Recognisable and credible
opposition is limited with key players joining their fellow anti -Castro
Cubans in the U.S. The reason for the delay is not about RCTV?s part
in the coup but more about the Governments power. Even the chaumos
demonstrations were small and of limited impact and showed little
of the funding the CIA is purported to be paying the opposition!

Is Chavez really stronger? Reports around the Internet seem to suggest that he’s losing some of his support. And opposition in Venezuela seems to be very strong still, if I can believe the newsstories of which I also linked to in this post. It seems to me Chavez has his hands full right now with the opposition.

You mention that 90% of the Venezuelan media is still in private hands
and this is a good indication of the continued freedom of speech and
expression in Venezuela. This nearly as misleading as the RCTV scenes
from the coup. The rationale for refusing RCTV it?s license, was not
an end in itself??..it was ?encourager les autres��?. Any commercial
enterprise in Venezuela which doesn?t get this simple message will
soon go the way of RCTV.

Again, as far as I could see from the information in my post, the Venezuelan government presented a good case for why they refused to renew RCTV’s license. RCTV clearly violated the law many times. In addition, they spread blatant lies while pretending to report the news, and the 2002 coup is a good example. Now, if the media in Venezuela start to honestly and objectively report on the facts, and based on that are critical of Chavez, I doubt they will act against them and shut them down. If that happens, I will be fast to report on that here as well.

Whilst the wheels of revenge have been slow, I predict a very quick
learning curve for the media in Venezuela which will soon destroy
any objective criticism of Chavez.

I don’t see this as revenge. If Chavez wanted revenge, he would have shut them all down right after he came back to power after the failed coup in 2002. It doesn’t look to me like Chavez is such a person. Just look at how he treated his opponents of the 2002 coup after they lost to him. He just let them be, no punishment, no consequences, even though he could have gotten killed because of them. You can see this in the movie “The Revolution will not be Televised.” This made a very strong impression on me.

It is quite absurd to suggest that the suspension of RCTV is not really
all that bad as they are still permitted to broadcast on Satellite
and Cable Channels.

I did not say that it is not that bad, just that when the media says RCTV is completely shut down, that’s not entirely true since they are still able to operate on cable and satellite.

They would have then realised that a central feature
in the success of Venezuelan coups since the 1950?s is nothing to
do with the media and its opposition to the government in power.

The media played an important role in the 2002 coup. That’s a fact you can simply not deny and is quite clear in the documentary “The Revolution will not be Televised.” These days the media is essential in war, as has been demonstrated in the US – Iraq war. It is used to manipulate the public into supporting a certain agenda. The Pentagon has entire plans and policy currently in place for “Information Warfare.” Please read this article. So it is no surprise that the USA is trying to influence the media in Venezuela and supporting them in various ways.

I don’t think you can compare Chavez to Hitler at this point. You’d have a better case if you compared Bush to Hitler.

Interesting observations on the Closure of the RCTV and your view
that the closure really can’t be equated to an attack on the Freedom
of Speech and Expression in Venezuela. Whilst I found your arguments
convincing, I’m afraid that I also understand that they will appeal
to many who are largely ignorant of the reality of current Venezuelan
Life and depend on similar observations from subjective media sources
both from the left and right.

You make the point that it is understandable that RCTV was refused
it’s license on the basis of its role in the 2002 coup against Chavez.
Whilst the point has merit, even the Venezuelans can’t justify a delay
of 5 years to support this case. The timing and the purpose of the
closure has far more significant than “?a mere slap on the wrist��?
as you suggest.

Chavez is far stronger now than he was in 2002. Recognisable and credible
opposition is limited with key players joining their fellow anti -Castro
Cubans in the U.S. The reason for the delay is not about RCTV’s part
in the coup but more about the Governments power. Even the chaumos
demonstrations were small and of limited impact and showed little
of the funding the CIA is purported to be paying the opposition! You
mention that 90% of the Venezuelan media is still in private hands
and this is a good indication of the continued freedom of speech and
expression in Venezuela. This nearly as misleading as the RCTV scenes
from the coup. The rationale for refusing RCTV it’s license, was not
an end in itself……..it was “encourager les autres”. Any commercial
enterprise in Venezuela which doesn’t get this simple message will
soon go the way of RCTV.

Whilst the wheels of revenge have been slow, I predict a very quick
learning curve for the media in Venezuela which will soon destroy
any objective criticism of Chavez. Of course, I could be wrong and
the private Venezuelan media will fail to grasp what is happening
to them and continue to live in denial. This will play straight into
Chavez’s hands as the meddlesome and irritating Globovision channel
will be the next to find it’s license refused.

It is quite absurd to suggest that the suspension of RCTV is not really
all that bad as they are still permitted to broadcast on Satellite
and Cable Channels. I wonder if you have visited the barrios around
Caracas and seen the ranchos where despite Chavez’s 8 years of power
and increased oil revenues, millions continue to live in squalor.
Satellite and Cable channels do not, and will not reach these bases
of Chavez power. This population will be uncluttered in the future
by any suggestion of failure on the part of Chavez, retaining it’s
“rent a mob” qualities, and will descend on to the streets at a moments
call.

The film “This revolution will not be televised” is also cited as
an underlying testimony for the closure rationale. One has to question
the values of journalists who wanted to objectively film a political
character and who were clearly afforded lots of access to the individual.
I would have been far more impressed with their impartiality if they
had also examined the happenings of the coup attempt by Chavez himself
in the 1990′s. They would have then realised that a central feature
in the success of Venezuelan coups since the 1950′s is nothing to
do with the media and its opposition to the government in power. Essentially
Venezuelans don’t “do” coups well and the two recent examples demonstrate
that incompetence rather than media subjectivity, is the deciding
factor. To blame RCTV for nearly toppling Chavez in 2002 overlooks
the far more important failure by the “golpistas” to immediately get
rid of the Miraflores Security Guards and Chavez himself.

Its sobering to consider the historical comparisons involved. An individual
who served in the Army and led a failed coup was eventually democratically
elected. He changed the nation’s flag and survived a number of coup
attempts on himself. One of his early actions when in power was the closure
of opposition newspapers and enabling laws which changed the constitution.
His name was Adolph Hitler.