VENEZUELA: Opposition television station RCTV reopens on cable nearly two months after being blocked from continuing national broadcasting by Chavez

Record ID: 777883

  • Title: VENEZUELA: Opposition television station RCTV reopens on cable nearly two months after being blocked from continuing national broadcasting by Chavez
  • Date: 17th July 2007
  • Summary: PEOPLE ON THE STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VIEWER REDER CALA SAYING: "A lot of people are happy. We hope it comes back into all the homes in Venezuela on an open frequency." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VIEWER DELSI FUENTES SAYING: "This is a new opportunity for the station and the people who work here. For us, it's an opportunity to carry on a tradition that has been here for many years. We are going to see what happens."
  • Embargoed: 1st August 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3M3ZLD19VKTS87E4OX0TIURAL
  • Story Text: The Venezuelan television station RCTV returned to screens again on Monday (July 16) on a cable network nearly two months after President Hugo Chavez stopped the opposition station from broadcasting on a nationwide frequency.
    Formerly the nation's longest-running television station, RCTV will now broadcast its traditional fare of news and commentary programs and racy soap operas via digital television provider DirectTV and local cable providers.
    Amidst noisy, early-morning celebrations by employees, host Miguel Angel Rodriguez introduced the station's return to the air at 6am local time.
    "A very good day to you, Venezuela. RCTV (is back) with their international team, with their team of wonderful people, just as we said we would be on May 27. Even at times of great anxiety, we were always on our feet and never our knees. We are committed to this beloved, beautiful country and we welcome you enthusiastically and warmly with 'The Interview', the show that opens our broadcasting of RCTV International. This is a way to get to the entire nation and we hope you have had time at home to get this cable television," he said.
    Chavez refused to renew RCTV's license on grounds that it backed a failed coup attempt in 2002. The move prompted massive protests in Caracas and accusations at home and abroad that the socialist leader was threatening free speech.
    The government says about one in five Venezuelan homes have subscription television, which does not reach much of Chavez's majority poor support base.
    But viewers like Reder Cala hope this is an initial step to getting the program back on public television.
    "A lot of people are happy. We hope it comes back into all the homes in Venezuela on an open frequency," Cala said.
    RCTV's closure, which polls say was opposed by seven out of 10 Venezuelans, sparked demonstrations by thousands of opposition sympathizers and spurred new political activism by university students.
    Another viewer, Delsi Fuentes, said it's another chance for the station.
    "This is a new opportunity for the station and the people who work there. For them, it's an opportunity to carry on a tradition that has been here for many years. We are going to see what happens," Fuentes said.
    Critics ranging from the U.S. Senate to the watchdog organization Human Rights Watch said the move threatened free speech and would intimidate other media into silencing criticisms.
    For years, RCTV backed opposition campaigns to oust Chavez through a range of efforts including a two-month general strike and the 2002 coup.
    Other national private networks also used to oppose Chavez but are now more favourable to the government and have retained their licenses.
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