2007 Venezuelan RCTV protests

Protests against shutdown of TV network those caused by the constitutional referendum 2007 Venezuelan referendum protests February 2020 2007 RCTV protests Protests against Hugo Chávez ProtestosRCTV.jpg Venezuelans rally in support of RCTV. 19 May – June 2007 Venezuela Venezuelan government's shutdown of the RCTV television channel RCTV ceased operations on 27 May 2007 at 23:59:59 (UTC-4) and was replaced by TVes, which launched at 00:20:00 on 28 May Venezuelan opposition Government of Venezuela *Tens of thousands Hundreds of journalists *Tens of thousands The RCTV protests were a series of protests in Venezuela that began in the middle of May 2007. The cause of the protests was the decision by the government to shut down Venezuela's oldest private television network, Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV), refusing to renew its broadcasting license and instead creating a new public service channel called TVes, which began operations on 28 May, the same day RCTV's license expired. RCTV had Venezuela's largest viewing audience, with 10 million of the country's 26 million people viewing its shows and soap operas. http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/29/venezuela.media/index.html TV station chief: We are not afraid of Chavez CNN News 29 May 2007 30 May 2007 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044337/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/29/venezuela.media/index.html live Background On 28 December 2006, President Chávez informed that he would not renew Radio Caracas Televisión's (RCTV) concession, which was due to expire on 27 May 2007, thereby forcing the channel to cease operations on that day. The government argued that the refusal to renew was due to the position taken by RCTV during the 2002 coup attempt.29 December 2006 Chávez to shut down opposition TV https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6215815.stm 13 July 2018 en-GB 30 May 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530191147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6215815.stm live RCTV's directors declared that the channel's concession did not expire until 2021, calling the measure an abuse by the government, and demonstrations in support of the channel took place.26 May 2007 Venezuela: otra marcha por RCTV https://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6695000/6695465.stm 13 July 2018 en-GB 9 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160309224058/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6695000/6695465.stm live The Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ)—controlled by Chávez alliesRomero, Simon. Chávez’s Move Against Critic Highlights Shift in Media. https://web.archive.org/web/20150605101110/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/world/americas/27venez.html 5 June 2015 New York Times (27 May 2007). Retrieved on 29 May 2007.* 14 December 2004 Venezuela: Chávez Allies Pack Supreme Court http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/12/14/venezu9864.htm 28 May 2007 Human Rights Watch 5 June 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070605174829/http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/12/14/venezu9864.htm dead * 30 April 2004 Storm over Venezuela court reform https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3675115.stm 27 May 2007 BBC News 11 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121111034818/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3675115.stm live * Kennedy, Alex 25 May 2007 Chavez Pulls Plug on Venezuelan Television Network (Update4) https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=axX4_r42mcaM&refer=latin_america 27 May 2007 Bloomberg 30 September 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070930064306/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=axX4_r42mcaM&refer=latin_america live * Corrales, Javier and Michael Penfold 6 May 2007 Venezuela: Crowding out the opposition http://www.petroleumworld.com/SF07050601.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070916192754/http://www.petroleumworld.com/SF07050601.htm 16 September 2007 27 May 2007 Petroleum World * Thorpe, Jacqueline 22 May 2007 Chavez and Silva a study in contrasts: As news for Brazil keeps improving, Venezuela slides http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=b933e559-6697-4d8a-a270-51b9a1e7be56&k=39793 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120825131253/http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=b933e559-6697-4d8a-a270-51b9a1e7be56&k=39793 25 August 2012 27 May 2007 National Post, Canada — rejected on 17 April an appeal that argued that the license revocation was illegal and ruled that it was within the National Commission of Telecommunications's power to decide on the issuing, renewal and revocation of broadcast licenses.18 May 2007 Venezuela Court Dismisses RCTV Challenge https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/05/18/ap3737957.html 18 May 2007 ForbesJanuary 2022 medicmedic On 17 May 2007, the government rejected a plea made by RCTV to stop the TV station's forced shutdown.http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37828 Marches and Counter-Marches Over TV Station's End 28 May 2007 Inter Press Service News Agency 21 May 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070612203557/http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37828 12 June 2007 On 19 May, over 30,000 people gathered in Caracas to protest the decision, while there were also marches in Maracaibo, Puerto La Cruz, Valencia and other main cities in the country. A march in favor of the freedom of expression was organized on 21 May in Caracas, led by students and journalists.6 June 2007 Venezuela: marcha por libertad de expresión https://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6728000/6728837.stm 13 July 2018 en-GB27 May 2017 Artistas en la "marcha por la libertad de expresión" en Caracas - El Carabobeño https://www.el-carabobeno.com/artistas-la-marcha-la-libertad-expresion-caracas/ 13 July 2018 El Carabobeño es-ES The Supreme Tribunal later reaffirmed Chávez's decision that RCTV had to end its transmissions by 27 May.26 May 2007 Court: Venezuelan TV station must stop broadcasting - CNN.com http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/23/venezuela.tv.ap/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070526151532/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/23/venezuela.tv.ap/index.html 26 May 2007 13 July 2018 CNN Shutdown TVes On 24 May, the Supreme Court ordered RCTV to stop broadcasting as soon as its license expired and approved the government's takeover of all of its equipment and stations, though it would review the station's appeal of the decision. Chávez announced plans to start broadcasting a public service channel, TVes, using the infrastructure that belonged to RCTV.24 May 2007 Court: Venezuelan TV station must stop broadcasting http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/23/venezuela.tv.ap/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070526151532/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/23/venezuela.tv.ap/index.html 26 May 2007 24 May 2007 Associated Press According to the ruling by the Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice, all RCTV broadcast equipment was to be temporarily controlled by TVes.27 May 2007 TSJ orders RCTV to hand over its broadcast infrastructure http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/26/en_pol_art_tsj-orders-rctv-to-h_26A874677.shtml dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110525130403/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/26/en_pol_art_tsj-orders-rctv-to-h_26A874677.shtml 25 May 2011 30 May 2007 El Universal On 25 May, the Venezuelan government sent troops to RCTV installations to take control of their equipment. RCTV ended its final day of broadcasting with a rendition of the national anthem performed by network employees and on-air talent, followed by a shot of a pro-RCTV protest. The screen then faded to black. A few seconds later, a series of TVes idents appeared on Channel 2. At 12:20 a.m. VET (04:20 UTC) on 28 May 2007, TVes began its programming with a video recording of the national anthem, performed by a large choir clad in Venezuelan colours and full sized orchestra led by the famous young Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. After some network promos, TVes switched to an auditorium, where station president Lil Rodríguez gave a speech to a crowd of Chávez supporters. Demonstrations thumb|right|1 June, students of the Universidad Central de Venezuela and Universidad Católica Andrés Bello marching against the government's decision. (photo by: Jesús E. Machado P.) Thousands of protesters marching both against and in support of the government's decision remained on the streets in Caracas. On 19 May 2007, 30,000 protesters gathered in Caracas protesting the government's decision two days earlier that rejected a plea made by RCTV to stop the TV station's forced shutdown. Other marches took place in Maracaibo and Valencia. On 21 May 2007, hundreds of journalists and students marched in Caracas carrying a banner reading "S.O.S. Freedom of Expression." A few days later, on 25 May 2007, university students from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, the Universidad Simón Bolívar and the Universidad Central de Venezuela protested against the government's intentions.http://politica.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/rctv_ava_estudiantes-de-la-uc_25A874209.shtml https://web.archive.org/web/20070527074433/http://politica.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/rctv_ava_estudiantes-de-la-uc_25A874209.shtml dead 27 May 2007 Estudiantes de la UCAB y la USB protestan en apoyo a RCTV 28 May 2007 El Universal 25 May 2007 es http://politica.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/rctv_ava_ucevistas-protestaro_25A874355.shtml https://web.archive.org/web/20070831010331/http://politica.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/rctv_ava_ucevistas-protestaro_25A874355.shtml dead 31 August 2007 Ucevistas protestaron en la autopista Francisco Fajardo cierre de RCTV 28 May 2007 El Universal 25 May 2007 es On 26 May, tens of thousands of protesters marched in support of RCTV to their headquarters.Ellsworth Brian Venezuelans march against closure of TV station https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-television-march-idUSN2621739620070526 29 March 2015 Reuters 26 May 2007 2 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402214351/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/26/us-venezuela-television-march-idUSN2621739620070526 live Thousands of protestors marched in the streets of Caracas on 27 May for and against RCTV. In the evening, demonstrations in front of Conatel, the National Telecommunications Commission, became violent, with protestors throwing rocks and bottles at police, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/28/world/americas/28venez.html Venezuela Police Repel Protests Over TV Network's Closing 28 May 2007 The New York Times Simon Romero 28 May 2007 11 December 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081211191905/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/28/world/americas/28venez.html live At least eleven police officers and one protestor from the incident at Conatel,http://www.abn.info.ve/go_news5.php?articulo=93255&lee=1 Heridos 11 efectivos policiales en disturbios de la oposición frente a Conatel 28 May 2007 OregonLive 28 May 2007 es https://web.archive.org/web/20071010161041/http://www.abn.info.ve/go_news5.php?articulo=93255&lee=1 10 October 2007http://www.laprensagrafica.com/mundo/789399.asp Heridos en protestas por callar RCTV 28 May 2007 La Prensa Grafica 28 May 2007 es https://web.archive.org/web/20070927182451/http://www.laprensagrafica.com/mundo/789399.asp 27 September 2007 as well as three students and one police officer from a separate protest at Brión plaza in Caracas, have been reported injured.http://www.oregonlive.com/noticias/nacional/index.ssf?/base/spanish-119/1180380295268460.xml&storylist=nacional https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014632/http://www.oregonlive.com/noticias/nacional/index.ssf?/base/spanish-119/1180380295268460.xml&storylist=nacional dead 30 September 2007 Heridos en protestas por cierre de RCTV en Venezuela 28 May 2007 OregonLive 28 May 2007 eshttps://www.theguardian.com/worldlatest/story/0,,-6666824,00.html Venezuelans Protest As TV Station Shuts 28 May 2007 The Guardian 29 May 2007 London August 2010 RjwilmsiBot Twenty other students at Brión plaza were treated for tear gas inhalation. In the afternoon and evening of 29 May, protests in Caracas and Chacao became violent, with protesters in Chacao blocking Avenida Francisco de Miranda. At least seventeen people have been reported by Globovision to be injured on 29 May.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFgRYY7PXH4 Globovisión golpistpretende fabricar un nuevo Puente Llaguno 30 May 2007 YouTube 29 May 2007 esFebruary 2022 The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights petitioned the Venezuelan government for information about arrested and injured protestors; though the Venezuelan government did not provide the information, saying it would violate the confidentiality of adolescents involved.http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/06/04/en_pol_art_ombudsman:-iachr-pet_04A879455.shtml Ombudsman: IACHR petition of information about prisoners violates confidentiality El Universal (Caracas) 4 June 2007 5 June 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110525130454/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/06/04/en_pol_art_ombudsman%3A-iachr-pet_04A879455.shtml 25 May 2011 On 2 June, tens of thousands marched through Caracas to support President Chávez's decision.https://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6715000/6715249.stm RCTV: el turno del gobierno 2 June 2007 BBC 2 June 2007 es 20 August 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070820183911/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6715000/6715249.stm live International reactions Since the week prior to the shutdown of RCTV, many individuals, international organizations and NGOs—including the OAS's Secretary General José Miguel Insulza http://www.oas.org/OASpage/press_releases/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-001/07 Organization of American States Secretary General expresses concern over decision not to renew broadcasting license of Venezuelan television station 5 January 2007 28 May 2007 9 January 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070109011357/http://www.oas.org/OASpage/press_releases/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-001/07 live and its Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, http://www.cidh.oas.org/relatoria/showarticle.asp?artID=688&lID=1 Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression expresses concern over the situation of RCTV in Venezuela Organization of American States 31 December 2006 28 May 2007 13 August 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070813012906/http://www.cidh.oas.org/relatoria/showarticle.asp?artID=688&lID=1 live the Inter American Press Association,http://www.sipiapa.com/pressreleases/srchcountrydetail.cfm?PressReleaseID=1828 IAPA assails Venezuela's Chávez over non-renewal of TV station license Inter American Press Association 29 December 2006 28 May 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070928061613/http://www.sipiapa.com/pressreleases/srchcountrydetail.cfm?PressReleaseID=1828 28 September 2007 Human Rights Watch, http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/05/22/venezu15986.htm Venezuela: TV Shutdown Harms Free Expression Human Rights Watch 22 May 2007 28 May 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20081114234127/http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/05/22/venezu15986.htm 14 November 2008 dead and the Committee to Protect Journalists, http://www.cpj.org/news/2007/americas/ven12jan07na.html 'Lack of transparency' in Venezuelan broadcast case Committee to Protect Journalists 12 January 2007 28 May 2007 5 June 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070605001352/http://www.cpj.org/news/2007/americas/ven12jan07na.html live —have expressed concerns for freedom of the press following the shutdown. http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/82816 Non-renewal of RCTV license a threat to media pluralism, will cost 2,000 their jobs, says IFJ International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) 24 April 2007 27 May 2007 https://archive.today/20120804061313/http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/82816 4 August 2012 dead However, Secretary Insulza also stated that it was up to the Venezuelan courts to solve this disputehttp://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/18/en_pol_art_insulza:-rctv-case-w_18A870835.shtml Insulza: RCTV case will be solved by Venezuelan courts 17 June 2007 El Universal 18 May 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070901111430/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/18/en_pol_art_insulza%3A-rctv-case-w_18A870835.shtml 1 September 2007 and that he believed that this was an administrative decision.http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/06/11/en_pol_art_insulza-hopes-venezu_11A883121.shtml https://archive.today/20130122060100/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/06/11/en_pol_art_insulza-hopes-venezu_11A883121.shtml dead 22 January 2013 Insulza hopes Venezuela "to continue to be democratic" 17 June 2007 El Universal 11 June 2007 The International Press Institute stated that it is "a flagrant attempt to silence the station's critical voice and in violation of everyone's right 'to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers,' as outlined in Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights"IPI condemns shutdown of RCTV television station in Venezuela https://web.archive.org/web/20070617073637/http://www.freemedia.at/cms/ipi/statements_detail.html?ctxid=CH0055&docid=CMS1180432968135 17 June 2007 International Press Institute Accessed 29 May 2007. The Committee to Protect Journalists "concluded [Chávez's] government failed to conduct a fair and transparent review of RCTV's concession renewal. The report, based on a three-month investigation, found the government’s decision was a predetermined and politically motivated effort to silence critical coverage."Joel Simon, Executive Director CPJ urges Chávez to allow RCTV to stay on the air https://web.archive.org/web/20070605001156/http://www.cpj.org/protests/07ltrs/americas/ven24may07pl.html 5 June 2007 Committee to Protect Journalists Accessed 29 May 2007. Reporters Without Borders stated "The closure of RCTV [...] is a serious violation of freedom of expression and a major setback to democracy and pluralism. President Chávez has silenced Venezuela’s most popular TV station and the only national station to criticize him, and he has violated all legal norms by seizing RCTV’s broadcast equipment for the new public TV station that is replacing it."International community urged to rally to defense of Venezuela’s media after RCTV’s closure https://web.archive.org/web/20070808005430/http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=22326 8 August 2007 Reporters Without Borders Accessed 29 May 2007. Freedom House has given Venezuela a press freedom rating of "Not Free"http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=251&year=2006 Map of Press Freedom Freedom House 2006 31 May 2007 3 June 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070603115737/http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=251&year=2006 live since 2002,Karlekar, Karin Deutsch http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=131&year=2003&essay=5 Press freedom in 2002 Freedom House 5 June 2007 most recently describing a number of new laws, most particularly the 2004 Ley Resorte, that include prohibitions against broadcasting violent material between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., targeting a group or individual for hatred, and insulting president Chávez, under penalty of severe fines and imprisonment. The Senate of the United States approved a motion promoted by Senators Richard Lugar and Christopher Dodd condemning the closing, stating that the move was a "transgression of freedom of thought and expression" in Venezuela,US Senate in full passes resolution against non-renewal of RCTV license https://web.archive.org/web/20071225104348/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/en_pol_art_us-senate-in-full-pa_25A874389.shtml 25 December 2007 , El Universal, 25 May 2007; accessed 30 May 2007 while Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, asserted that it was an attempt to silence the critics of the Government.http://caracas.usembassy.gov/news_en.asp?news=114 Pelosi Statement on Suppression of Media in Venezuela U.S. Embassy Caracas 31 May 2007 5 June 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070701220243/http://caracas.usembassy.gov/news_en.asp?news=114 1 July 2007 The U.S. State Department,Daily Press Briefing https://web.archive.org/web/20171117155628/https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2007/may/85568.htm 17 November 2017 , U.S. State Dept., 29 May 2007. Retrieved on 5 June 2007. the European Union,Chavez Threatens Last Opposition Network https://web.archive.org/web/20241224020707/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chavez-threatens-last-opposition-network/ 24 December 2024 , CBS News, 30 May 2007. Retrieved on 30 May 2007 the senates of ChileMichelle Bachelet champions freedom of expression https://web.archive.org/web/20071225104353/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/29/en_pol_art_michelle-bachelet-ch_29A876861.shtml 25 December 2007 El Universal, 29 May 2007. Retrieved on 30 May 2007. and Brazil, Lages, Christine http://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/mat/2007/05/31/295977710.asp Senado brasileiro envia apelo ao governo venezuelano O Globo 31 May 2007 5 June 2007 pt 22 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110522034940/http://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/mat/2007/05/31/295977710.asp live and the legislatures of a number of other Latin American countries have also expressed concern over the incident. European Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso qualified the measure as regrettable, adding that "freedom of expression and press freedom are substantial components of democracy."http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/29/en_pol_art_ec-chair-laments-non_29A877145.shtml EC Chair laments non-renewal of broadcast license El Universal (Caracas) 29 May 2007 5 June 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110525130447/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/29/en_pol_art_ec-chair-laments-non_29A877145.shtml 25 May 2011 Costa Rican President Óscar Arias Sánchez stated that any media closing was a deathly strike against any democratic system. http://www.casapres.go.cr/ Mandatario lamenta cierre de RCTV President of Costa Rica 29 May 2007 4 June 2007 20 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211020153038/http://www.casapres.go.cr/ dead es Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said she regrets the decision and that "freedom of expression is the golden rule." Along with her, Finnish President Tarja Halonen said she was watching the situation with concern.http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-1773--12-12--.html Chile defends freedom of expression in Venezuela TV row Caribbean Net News 30 May 2007 5 June 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070703162210/http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-1773--12-12--.html 3 July 2007 The Spanish Partido Popular, the main opposition party, called the closing an "attack against freedom of expression".http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/?cat=16 El PP español habla sobre el cierre de RCTV Noticias24 30 May 2007 5 June 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070624125601/http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/?cat=16 24 June 2007 es After the Brazilian Senate passed a motion urging Chávez to reconsider the revocation of RCTV's license, Chávez "accused the Brazilian Congress of acting like a 'puppet' of the US", prompting Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to say "Chavez has to take care of Venezuela, I have to take care of Brazil and Bush has to take care of the US". https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6718155.stm Lula calls for ethanol investment BBC News 4 June 2007 4 June 2007 3 July 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220703035237/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6718155.stm live http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=244924&idselect=91&idCanal=91&p=200 Chávez que cuide da Venezuela 6 June 2007 Correio da manhã 3 June 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071205213635/http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=244924&idselect=91&idCanal=91&p=200 5 December 2007 pt Later, Lula da Silva said the decision of not renewing the broadcast license was internal Venezuelan business, adding that the legal logic of each country should be respected.https://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6720000/6720081.stm Lula: Chávez no es un peligro 4 June 2007 BBC 4 June 2007 es 7 June 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070607075107/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6720000/6720081.stm live Chávez said that presidents Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Evo Morales of Bolivia phoned to show support to his decision. President Álvaro Uribe from Colombia said that the country would not involve itself in Venezuela's internal affairs.http://www.eldia.es/2007-06-04/venezuela/venezuela0.htm Chávez defiende el cese de emisiones de RCTV y dice que no aceptará injerencias 17 June 2007 El Día 4 June 2007 es dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160428/http://www.eldia.es/2007-06-04/venezuela/venezuela0.htm 30 September 2007 President Rafael Correa of Ecuador said that he would have canceled the broadcast license automatically (after the 2002 coup).http://www.eluniversal.com/2007/06/11/pol_art_correa-dispuesto-a-c_316109.shtml Correa dispuesto a cancelar licencias 17 June 2007 El Universal 11 June 2007 es Responding to Nancy Pelosi, Bernardo Álvarez, the country's ambassador to the United States, described the licensing decision as a simple regulatory matter, which "was not made based on RCTV’s critical editorial stance against the government, nor was it directed at silencing criticism of the government." Álvarez argued that Venezuela wished to adopt a more European model of public broadcasting, he wrote that 79 of 81 Venezuelan television stations, 706 of 709 radio broadcasters, and 118 newspapers remain in private hands, citing a 30 May 2007 op-ed published in the Los Angeles Times: "Radio, TV and newspapers remain uncensored, unfettered and unthreatened by the government. Most Venezuelan media are still staunchly anti-Chávez."Alvarez Herrera, Bernardo 30 May 2007 Ambassador Alvarez Response to Speaker Pelosi on RCTV Case http://www.embavenez-us.org/news.php?nid=3509 usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20070928101433/http://www.embavenez-us.org/news.php?nid=3509 28 September 2007 5 June 2007 Embassy of Venezuela in the United States In Nicaragua, followers of Hugo Chávez voiced their support of his closing of RCTV on 27 May in Managua. This small rally was met with negative reactions from local press, who condemned the involvement of the Venezuelan Ambassador Miguel Gómez.http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/27/en_pol_art_chavez-decision-on_27A875787.shtml Chávez' decision on RCTV supported in Nicaragua 28 May 2007 El Universal 27 May 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070603150656/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/27/en_pol_art_chavez-decision-on_27A875787.shtml 3 June 2007 See also Media in Venezuela Censorship in Venezuela References RCTV protests Category:2007 protests Category:Censorship in Venezuela Category:Opposition to Hugo Chávez Category:Protests in Venezuela Category:RCTV Category:Student protests in South America