Chávez stepping up media clampdown

30 Jul 09 | Index Index, minipost

Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez is said to be stepping up his campaign of hostility towards broadcasters he considers too critical of his regime. He said the government is developing eight new media related laws including one that creates a new set of “media crimes” punishable with prison sentences. Read more here

Chavez government attacks free press

08 Jun 09 | Index Index, minipost

A Venezuelan minister in Hugo Chavez’s government has announced plans to regulate cable subscription stations, saying the state would be “strict and severe” demonstrating this by fining opposition network Globovisión $2.3 million US dollars. Read more here

Chávez stops TV broadcast after debate row

01 Jun 09 | Index Index, minipost

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has halted a marathon edition of his programme Alo Presidente after challenging Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa to debate. Llosa replied that he would only debate directly with Chávez.  The programme did not reappear  in what has been hailed as an embarassing retreat.  Read more here