Chávez Stands By RCTV Decision

CARACAS, January 5: Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is standing by his decision not to renew terrestrial broadcaster RCTV’s license when it expires in May, with the signal likely to be used for a regional TV network proposed by a local community group.

According to the El Universal Venezuelan daily, the Itinerant Forum for Popular Participation (FIPP) community group is proposing a Venezuelan Regional Television Network that will help boost the local production community.

Hindu Anderi, coordinator of FIPP, told the local newspaper: "The time has come to talk about the television we want to watch and insist on television as a public service. This is the time for a comprehensive revision of the programs broadcast on all Venezuelan TV networks, most of which are not making contributions to educate our republicans."

Chávez announced at the end of last year that he would not renew the license of what he called the “coup-plotting” broadcaster RCTV. “No media outlet will be tolerated here that is at the service of coup-ism, against the people, against the nation, against national independence, against the dignity of the republic,” he is quoted as saying.