VENEZUELA: Supporters of anti-government channel Globovision launch fundraising campaign to pay off 2 million dollar government fine on the channel

Record ID: 785126

  • Title: VENEZUELA: Supporters of anti-government channel Globovision launch fundraising campaign to pay off 2 million dollar government fine on the channel
  • Date: 14th June 2009
  • Summary: DRIVER PUTTING MONEY INTO COLLECTION BOX
  • Embargoed: 29th June 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Communications,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2ELMZF7KBALOH92KR7BGI6OM3
  • Story Text: A private Venezuelan TV news channel threatened with closure by President Hugo Chavez urged dialogue with the government on Saturday (June 13) after authorities fined the station and raided one top executive's property.
    Small groups of Globovision supporters took to the streets in mainly wealthier parts of the capital Caracas on Saturday to collect cash to help the station pay its tax fine.
    "I think this is the response of the people to a government that wants to impose a fine, a fine that we disagree with and this is the reaction of the people. These people are not Globovision employees that are collecting money. These are the people from the neighbourhoods, people of different colours, ages and of all sexes, and they have all agreed to collect money to pay the fine," said Globovision's President Federico Ravel.
    "The next step is that if the president wants to have a dialogue with us, then we are ready, without taking positions. We want to have a dialogue like they have in civilised countries, if they want to talk to us, then we are ready," added Ravel.
    Chavez's targeting of Globovision, a fiercely anti-government channel, has fueled concerns over press freedom in the OPEC nation, where the government two years ago refused to renew a broadcasting license to another station.
    A socialist allied with Cuba, Chavez has long accused Globovision of seeking to undermine his government and promote civil unrest. But critics say renewed threats to the channel illustrate his increasingly tough line with opponents.
    "The closure of Radio Caracas Television was an example for the whole world and now they are going after Globovision. This is not about a fine, and it's not about scaring us. What they are doing here is they are trying to shut us up," said one supporter of Globovision, Hellen Gonzalez.
    Closing down Globovision would likely trigger international criticism of Chavez. But it could further weaken his opponents and would be popular with core Chavez's supporters who blame the channel for backing a brief 2002 coup and an oil strike aimed at ousting him.
    Globovision says it has broken no law and says it is being harassed for its editorial line. But a government watchdog is now reviewing all private broadcast permits.
    Authorities this month hit Globovision with a $2 million back-tax fine and officials have twice raided its president's property, saying he was illegally reselling cars and had kept rare stuffed animals. He has been charged with usury.
    Chavez remains popular after spending oil wealth on projects for the poor as part of his socialist revolution. The former soldier is nationalizing key industries and carrying out an offensive on foes, including stripping powers from some elected opposition leaders.
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