2007 Venezuelan RCTV protests

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.{{cite news |date=29 December 2006 |title=Chávez to shut down opposition TV |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6215815.stm |access-date=13 July 2018 |language=en-GB |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530191147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6215815.stm |url-status=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.{{cite news |date=26 May 2007 |title=Venezuela: otra marcha por RCTV |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6695000/6695465.stm |access-date=13 July 2018 |language=en-GB |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309224058/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6695000/6695465.stm |url-status=live }} The Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ)—controlled by Chávez alliesRomero, Simon. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/world/americas/27venez.html Chávez’s Move Against Critic Highlights Shift in Media.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605101110/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/world/americas/27venez.html |date=5 June 2015 }} New York Times (27 May 2007). Retrieved on 29 May 2007.
* {{cite web |date=14 December 2004 |title=Venezuela: Chávez Allies Pack Supreme Court |url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/12/14/venezu9864.htm |access-date=28 May 2007 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |archive-date=5 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605174829/http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/12/14/venezu9864.htm |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite news |date=30 April 2004 |title=Storm over Venezuela court reform |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3675115.stm |access-date=27 May 2007 |work=BBC News |archive-date=11 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111034818/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3675115.stm |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web |author=Kennedy, Alex |date=25 May 2007 |title=Chavez Pulls Plug on Venezuelan Television Network (Update4) |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=axX4_r42mcaM&refer=latin_america |access-date=27 May 2007 |publisher=Bloomberg |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930064306/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=axX4_r42mcaM&refer=latin_america |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web |author=Corrales, Javier and Michael Penfold |date=6 May 2007 |title=Venezuela: Crowding out the opposition |url=http://www.petroleumworld.com/SF07050601.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916192754/http://www.petroleumworld.com/SF07050601.htm |archive-date=16 September 2007 |access-date=27 May 2007 |publisher=Petroleum World }}
* {{cite web |author=Thorpe, Jacqueline |date=22 May 2007 |title=Chavez and Silva a study in contrasts: As news for Brazil keeps improving, Venezuela slides |url=http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=b933e559-6697-4d8a-a270-51b9a1e7be56&k=39793 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825131253/http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=b933e559-6697-4d8a-a270-51b9a1e7be56&k=39793 |archive-date=25 August 2012 |access-date=27 May 2007 |publisher=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.{{Cite web |date=18 May 2007 |title=Venezuela Court Dismisses RCTV Challenge |url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/05/18/ap3737957.html |access-date=18 May 2007 |work=Forbes}}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On 17 May 2007, the government rejected a plea made by RCTV to stop the TV station's forced shutdown.{{Cite web|url=http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37828 |title=Marches and Counter-Marches Over TV Station's End |access-date=28 May 2007 |publisher=Inter Press Service News Agency |date=21 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612203557/http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37828 |archive-date=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.{{cite news |date=6 June 2007 |title=Venezuela: marcha por libertad de expresión |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6728000/6728837.stm |access-date=13 July 2018 |language=en-GB}}{{cite news |date=27 May 2017 |title=Artistas en la "marcha por la libertad de expresión" en Caracas - El Carabobeño |url=https://www.el-carabobeno.com/artistas-la-marcha-la-libertad-expresion-caracas/ |access-date=13 July 2018 |periodical=El Carabobeño |language=es-ES}} The Supreme Tribunal later reaffirmed Chávez's decision that RCTV had to end its transmissions by 27 May.{{Cite web |date=26 May 2007 |title=Court: Venezuelan TV station must stop broadcasting - CNN.com |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/23/venezuela.tv.ap/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526151532/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/23/venezuela.tv.ap/index.html |archive-date=26 May 2007 |access-date=13 July 2018 |website=CNN}}

{{Further|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.{{cite news |date=24 May 2007 |title=Court: Venezuelan TV station must stop broadcasting |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/23/venezuela.tv.ap/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526151532/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/23/venezuela.tv.ap/index.html |archive-date=26 May 2007 |access-date=24 May 2007 |publisher=Associated Press}} According to the ruling by the Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice, all RCTV broadcast equipment was to be temporarily controlled by TVes.{{Cite web |date=27 May 2007 |title=TSJ orders RCTV to hand over its broadcast infrastructure |url=http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/26/en_pol_art_tsj-orders-rctv-to-h_26A874677.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525130403/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/26/en_pol_art_tsj-orders-rctv-to-h_26A874677.shtml |archive-date=25 May 2011 |access-date=30 May 2007 |publisher=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. AST (0420 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.

File:RCTVEstudiantes1.JPG

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.{{Cite web|url=http://politica.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/rctv_ava_estudiantes-de-la-uc_25A874209.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527074433/http://politica.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/rctv_ava_estudiantes-de-la-uc_25A874209.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 May 2007 |title=Estudiantes de la UCAB y la USB protestan en apoyo a RCTV |access-date=28 May 2007 |publisher=El Universal |date=25 May 2007 |language=es }}{{Cite web|url=http://politica.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/rctv_ava_ucevistas-protestaro_25A874355.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831010331/http://politica.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/rctv_ava_ucevistas-protestaro_25A874355.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 August 2007 |title=Ucevistas protestaron en la autopista Francisco Fajardo cierre de RCTV |access-date=28 May 2007 |publisher=El Universal |date=25 May 2007 |language=es }} On 26 May, tens of thousands of protesters marched in support of RCTV to their headquarters.{{cite news|last1=Ellsworth|first1=Brian|title=Venezuelans march against closure of TV station|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-television-march-idUSN2621739620070526|access-date=29 March 2015|work=Reuters|date=26 May 2007|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402214351/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/26/us-venezuela-television-march-idUSN2621739620070526|url-status=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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/28/world/americas/28venez.html|title=Venezuela Police Repel Protests Over TV Network's Closing|access-date=28 May 2007|work=The New York Times|first=Simon|last=Romero|date=28 May 2007|archive-date=11 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211191905/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/28/world/americas/28venez.html|url-status=live}} At least eleven police officers and one protestor from the incident at Conatel,{{Cite web|url=http://www.abn.info.ve/go_news5.php?articulo=93255&lee=1|title=Heridos 11 efectivos policiales en disturbios de la oposición frente a Conatel|access-date=28 May 2007|publisher=OregonLive|date=28 May 2007|language=es |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071010161041/http://www.abn.info.ve/go_news5.php?articulo=93255&lee=1 |archive-date = 10 October 2007}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.laprensagrafica.com/mundo/789399.asp|title=Heridos en protestas por callar RCTV|access-date=28 May 2007|publisher=La Prensa Grafica|date=28 May 2007|language=es |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927182451/http://www.laprensagrafica.com/mundo/789399.asp |archive-date = 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/noticias/nacional/index.ssf?/base/spanish-119/1180380295268460.xml&storylist=nacional|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014632/http://www.oregonlive.com/noticias/nacional/index.ssf?/base/spanish-119/1180380295268460.xml&storylist=nacional|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2007|title=Heridos en protestas por cierre de RCTV en Venezuela|access-date=28 May 2007|publisher=OregonLive|date=28 May 2007|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/worldlatest/story/0,,-6666824,00.html|title=Venezuelans Protest As TV Station Shuts|access-date=28 May 2007|work=The Guardian|date=29 May 2007 | location=London}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFgRYY7PXH4|title=Globovisión golpistpretende fabricar un nuevo Puente Llaguno|access-date=30 May 2007|publisher=YouTube|date=29 May 2007|language=es}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 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.{{cite web|url=http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/06/04/en_pol_art_ombudsman:-iachr-pet_04A879455.shtml |title=Ombudsman: IACHR petition of information about prisoners violates confidentiality |publisher=El Universal (Caracas) |date=4 June 2007 |access-date=5 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525130454/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/06/04/en_pol_art_ombudsman%3A-iachr-pet_04A879455.shtml |archive-date=25 May 2011 }}

On 2 June, tens of thousands marched through Caracas to support President Chávez's decision.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6715000/6715249.stm|title=RCTV: el turno del gobierno|access-date=2 June 2007|publisher=BBC|date=2 June 2007|language=es|archive-date=20 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820183911/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6715000/6715249.stm|url-status=live}}

Since the week prior to the shutdown of RCTV, many individuals, international organizations and NGOs—including the OAS's Secretary General José Miguel Insulza{{cite press release | url = http://www.oas.org/OASpage/press_releases/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-001/07 | publisher = Organization of American States | title = Secretary General expresses concern over decision not to renew broadcasting license of Venezuelan television station | date = 5 January 2007 | access-date = 28 May 2007 | archive-date = 9 January 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070109011357/http://www.oas.org/OASpage/press_releases/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-001/07 | url-status = live }} and its Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression,{{cite web | url = http://www.cidh.oas.org/relatoria/showarticle.asp?artID=688&lID=1 | title = Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression expresses concern over the situation of RCTV in Venezuela | publisher = Organization of American States | date = 31 December 2006 | access-date = 28 May 2007 | archive-date = 13 August 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070813012906/http://www.cidh.oas.org/relatoria/showarticle.asp?artID=688&lID=1 | url-status = live }} the Inter American Press Association,{{cite press release|url=http://www.sipiapa.com/pressreleases/srchcountrydetail.cfm?PressReleaseID=1828 |title=IAPA assails Venezuela's Chávez over non-renewal of TV station license |publisher=Inter American Press Association |date=29 December 2006 |access-date=28 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928061613/http://www.sipiapa.com/pressreleases/srchcountrydetail.cfm?PressReleaseID=1828 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }} Human Rights Watch,{{cite web | url = http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/05/22/venezu15986.htm | title = Venezuela: TV Shutdown Harms Free Expression | publisher = Human Rights Watch | date = 22 May 2007 | access-date = 28 May 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081114234127/http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/05/22/venezu15986.htm | archive-date = 14 November 2008 | url-status = dead }} and the Committee to Protect Journalists,{{cite press release | url = http://www.cpj.org/news/2007/americas/ven12jan07na.html | title = 'Lack of transparency' in Venezuelan broadcast case | publisher = Committee to Protect Journalists | date = 12 January 2007 | access-date = 28 May 2007 | archive-date = 5 June 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070605001352/http://www.cpj.org/news/2007/americas/ven12jan07na.html | url-status = live }}—have expressed concerns for freedom of the press following the shutdown.{{cite press release | url = http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/82816 | title = Non-renewal of RCTV license a threat to media pluralism, will cost 2,000 their jobs, says IFJ | publisher = International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) | date = 24 April 2007 | access-date = 27 May 2007 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120804061313/http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/82816 | archive-date = 4 August 2012 | url-status = dead }} However, Secretary Insulza also stated that it was up to the Venezuelan courts to solve this dispute{{Cite web|url=http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/18/en_pol_art_insulza:-rctv-case-w_18A870835.shtml |title=Insulza: RCTV case will be solved by Venezuelan courts |access-date=17 June 2007 |publisher=El Universal |date=18 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901111430/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/18/en_pol_art_insulza%3A-rctv-case-w_18A870835.shtml |archive-date=1 September 2007 }} and that he believed that this was an administrative decision.{{Cite web|url=http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/06/11/en_pol_art_insulza-hopes-venezu_11A883121.shtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122060100/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/06/11/en_pol_art_insulza-hopes-venezu_11A883121.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 January 2013 |title=Insulza hopes Venezuela "to continue to be democratic" |access-date=17 June 2007 |publisher=El Universal |date=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"[http://www.freemedia.at/cms/ipi/statements_detail.html?ctxid=CH0055&docid=CMS1180432968135 IPI condemns shutdown of RCTV television station in Venezuela] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617073637/http://www.freemedia.at/cms/ipi/statements_detail.html?ctxid=CH0055&docid=CMS1180432968135 |date=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 [http://www.cpj.org/protests/07ltrs/americas/ven24may07pl.html CPJ urges Chávez to allow RCTV to stay on the air] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605001156/http://www.cpj.org/protests/07ltrs/americas/ven24may07pl.html |date=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."[http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=22326 International community urged to rally to defense of Venezuela’s media after RCTV’s closure] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808005430/http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=22326 |date=8 August 2007 }} Reporters Without Borders Accessed 29 May 2007. Freedom House has given Venezuela a press freedom rating of "Not Free"{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=251&year=2006|title=Map of Press Freedom|publisher=Freedom House|year=2006|access-date=31 May 2007|archive-date=3 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603115737/http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=251&year=2006|url-status=live}} since 2002,{{cite web|author=Karlekar, Karin Deutsch |url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=131&year=2003&essay=5|title=Press freedom in 2002|publisher=Freedom House|access-date=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,

[http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/en_pol_art_us-senate-in-full-pa_25A874389.shtml US Senate in full passes resolution against non-renewal of RCTV license] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225104348/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/25/en_pol_art_us-senate-in-full-pa_25A874389.shtml |date=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.{{cite press release|url=http://caracas.usembassy.gov/news_en.asp?news=114 |title=Pelosi Statement on Suppression of Media in Venezuela |publisher=U.S. Embassy Caracas |date=31 May 2007 |access-date=5 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701220243/http://caracas.usembassy.gov/news_en.asp?news=114 |archive-date=1 July 2007 }} The U.S. State Department,[https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2007/may/85568.htm Daily Press Briefing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117155628/https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2007/may/85568.htm |date=17 November 2017 }}, U.S. State Dept., 29 May 2007. Retrieved on 5 June 2007. the European Union,[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chavez-threatens-last-opposition-network/ Chavez Threatens Last Opposition Network] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224020707/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chavez-threatens-last-opposition-network/ |date=24 December 2024 }}, CBS News, 30 May 2007. Retrieved on 30 May 2007 the senates of Chile[http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/29/en_pol_art_michelle-bachelet-ch_29A876861.shtml Michelle Bachelet champions freedom of expression] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225104353/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/29/en_pol_art_michelle-bachelet-ch_29A876861.shtml |date=25 December 2007 }} El Universal, 29 May 2007. Retrieved on 30 May 2007. and Brazil,{{cite web | author = Lages, Christine | url = http://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/mat/2007/05/31/295977710.asp | title = Senado brasileiro envia apelo ao governo venezuelano | publisher = O Globo | date = 31 May 2007 | access-date = 5 June 2007 | language = pt | archive-date = 22 May 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522034940/http://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/mat/2007/05/31/295977710.asp | url-status = 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."{{cite web|url=http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/29/en_pol_art_ec-chair-laments-non_29A877145.shtml |title=EC Chair laments non-renewal of broadcast license |publisher=El Universal (Caracas) |date=29 May 2007 |access-date=5 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525130447/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/29/en_pol_art_ec-chair-laments-non_29A877145.shtml |archive-date=25 May 2011 }} Costa Rican President Óscar Arias Sánchez stated that any media closing was a deathly strike against any democratic system.{{cite press release | url = http://www.casapres.go.cr/ | title = Mandatario lamenta cierre de RCTV | publisher = President of Costa Rica | date = 29 May 2007 | access-date = 4 June 2007 | archive-date = 20 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211020153038/http://www.casapres.go.cr/ | url-status = dead }} {{in lang|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.{{cite web|url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-1773--12-12--.html |title=Chile defends freedom of expression in Venezuela TV row |publisher=Caribbean Net News |date=30 May 2007 |access-date=5 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703162210/http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-1773--12-12--.html |archive-date=3 July 2007 }} The Spanish Partido Popular, the main opposition party, called the closing an "attack against freedom of expression".{{cite web|url=http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/?cat=16 |title=El PP español habla sobre el cierre de RCTV |publisher=Noticias24 |date=30 May 2007 |access-date=5 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624125601/http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/?cat=16 |archive-date=24 June 2007 }} {{in lang|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".{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6718155.stm | title = Lula calls for ethanol investment | work = BBC News | date = 4 June 2007 | access-date = 4 June 2007 | archive-date = 3 July 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220703035237/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6718155.stm | url-status = live }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=244924&idselect=91&idCanal=91&p=200|title=Chávez que cuide da Venezuela|access-date=6 June 2007|publisher=Correio da manhã|date=3 June 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071205213635/http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=244924&idselect=91&idCanal=91&p=200 |archive-date = 5 December 2007|language=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.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6720000/6720081.stm|title=Lula: Chávez no es un peligro|access-date=4 June 2007|publisher=BBC|date=4 June 2007|language=es|archive-date=7 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607075107/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_6720000/6720081.stm|url-status=live}} Chávez said that presidents Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Evo Morales of Bolivia have phoned to show support to his decision and that Álvaro Uribe from Colombia said that his country would not mess in Venezuela's internal affairs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eldia.es/2007-06-04/venezuela/venezuela0.htm |title=Chávez defiende el cese de emisiones de RCTV y dice que no aceptará injerencias |access-date=17 June 2007 |publisher=El Día |date=4 June 2007 |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160428/http://www.eldia.es/2007-06-04/venezuela/venezuela0.htm |archive-date=30 September 2007 }} President Rafael Correa of Ecuador said that he would have canceled the broadcast license automatically (after the 2002 coup).{{Cite web|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2007/06/11/pol_art_correa-dispuesto-a-c_316109.shtml|title=Correa dispuesto a cancelar licencias|access-date=17 June 2007|publisher=El Universal|date=11 June 2007|language=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."{{cite web |author=Alvarez Herrera, Bernardo |date=30 May 2007 |title=Ambassador Alvarez Response to Speaker Pelosi on RCTV Case |url=http://www.embavenez-us.org/news.php?nid=3509 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928101433/http://www.embavenez-us.org/news.php?nid=3509 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |access-date=5 June 2007 |publisher=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.{{Cite web|url=http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/27/en_pol_art_chavez-decision-on_27A875787.shtml |title=Chávez' decision on RCTV supported in Nicaragua |access-date=28 May 2007 |publisher=El Universal |date=27 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603150656/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/05/27/en_pol_art_chavez-decision-on_27A875787.shtml |archive-date=3 June 2007 }}

• Media in Venezuela
• Censorship in Venezuela

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Category:2007 protests

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