Venezuela and the Media: Fact and Fiction

Take action now, oppose U.S. attacks on Venezuela. Congressional leaders on both sides of aisle have taken time out of their busy lives to denounce the menace of Hugo Chavez. Why the fuss? The Chavez government has decided not to renew the broadcast license of RCTV, a major Venezuelan TV station. Read beyond the corporate media buzz here.

Hello PCASC Supporters,

Venezuela has been in the news a lot over the last few days.

Congressional leaders on both sides of aisle have taken time out of their busy lives to denounce the menace of Hugo Chavez.

Why the fuss? The Chavez government has decided not to renew the broadcast license of RCTV, a major Venezuelan TV station.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement accusing Venezuela's government of "efforts to suppress the media" and the Senate passed a resolution "expressing the profound concerns of the Senate regarding the transgression against freedom of thought and expression that is being carried out in Venezuela."

The U.S. media and leaders of the two major parties are WRONG ON VENEZUELA.

The Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela is radically democratizing media. Private media conglomerates like RCTV do not have a "right" to the public airwaves. Their control of the free market has nothing to do with the
right to free speech. Organizations like the National Association of Free and Alternative Media (ANMCLA, www.medioscomunitarios.org) are creating real media democracy in Venezuela and putting the media in the hands of the people.


***TAKE ACTION NOW***

Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith supported Senate Resolution 211, which attacked Venezuela for not renewing RCTV's license.

Call now and express your disappointment:

Senator Ron Wyden at (503) 326-7525
Senator Gordon Smith at (503) 326-3386.


We can still stop House Concurrent Resolution 77, Sen. R 211's counterpart. Call your congressperson now! David Wu is on the House Foreign Relations Committee that is currently reviewing the bill.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (202) 225-4811/ (503) 231-2300
Rep. Darlene Hooley......... (202) 225-5711/ (503) 557-1324
Rep. David Wu.....................(202) 225-0855/ (800) 422-4003
Rep. Peter Defazio..............(202) 225-6416/ (541) 465-6732
Rep. Greg Walden..............(202)225-6730/ (541)776-4646


Also, please write letters to the editor of The Oregonian. Study up (see below) and then email your letters to letters at news.oregonian.com

Please email a copy of your letter to info at pcasc.net

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Detailed information and analysis here!


Read the Senate Resolution here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:4:./temp/~c1103kgZTC::

Read the House Resolution here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:2:./temp/~c1103kgZTC::


Read good analysis here...

RC...T- Vas? by PCASC activist Megan Hise

Venezuela and the Media: Fact and Fiction by Robert W. McChesney & Mark Weisbrot

Zero Hour for Venezuela's RCTV by George Ciccariello-Maher


Talking points for your congressional call based on info from the Venezuela Information Office:

When you call:

1) Ask to speak to the Legislative Aide who works on Venezuela issues.

2) If you speak to the aide directly, ask him/her to recommend them to speak out against H. Con. Res. 77 / S. Res. 211. If you are put into voicemail, please leave a message. But keep calling back until they put a human being on the line!

Talking points to consider for your discussion:

· The resolutions incorrectly describe the non-renewal decision as being "political" and a threat to freedom of expression in Venezuela, when in fact this is a regulatory matter based on existing telecommunications law and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

· RCTV is Venezuela's most often cited station for legal infractions, including the airing of pornography and cigarette advertisements. Previous offenses committed under other presidential administrations led to repeated closures and fines for RCTV, but the most recent violation is in regard to the role of the station in participating in a coup attempt against President Chavez in 2002 and an oil industry strike in 2002 -2003. How would the FCC respond if NBC collaborated in an attempt to overthrow the U.S. government by force?

· The non-renewal of the RCTV broadcasting license does not alter the Venezuelan government's commitment to freedom of expression. Cable and satellite broadcasts will continue to be available for the station's use.

· The constitutional right to make decisions on the licensing of broadcasters is enjoyed by most governments worldwide, including that of the U.S. Moreover, the Venezuelan Supreme Court ruled in early May to uphold the non-renewal decision.

· Although the Senate resolution calls on the Organization of American States (OAS) to condemn Venezuela, José Miguel Insulza, Secretary-General of the OAS, has stated it is up to the Venezuelan courts to solve the dispute over RCTV. Also, the Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's Freedom Commission, Giusto Catania, ruled out that the EU Parliament would pass a resolution against Venezuela for the non-renewal of the RCTV license.