CHAVEZ TO "REVIEW" PRIVATE TV AND RADIO LICENSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001909

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2031
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SUBJECT: CHAVEZ TO "REVIEW" PRIVATE TV AND RADIO LICENSES


CARACAS 00001909 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Mark Wells, A/Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(b).

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) President Chavez threatened on June 14 to review
private television and radio licenses. Senior chavistas
affirmed the President's call, claiming that private channels
often violate the Venezuelan media law and even promote
pornography. A prominent private television channel
president told us Chavez's announcement amounts to an all-out
assault on the freedom of press. Although two targeted TV
stations have, in fact, valid concessions for many more
years, the BRV said the licenses may be revoked at any time.
While Chavez often makes good on such threats in the fullness
of time, this one many be more about keeping the opposition
outraged and off balance. END SUMMARY

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GUN-TOTING CHAVEZ THREATENS PRIVATE MEDIA
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2. (SBU) At a ceremony marking the arrival of Russian
AK-103 rifles at the Ministry of Defense on June 14,
President Chavez slipped into his speech his determination
that BRV authorities review all private television and radio
licenses. Too many channels, said Chavez, are hiding behind
freedom of expression to divide the Venezuelan people.
Chavez also said the anti-BRV media is financed by the USG.
Chavez asserted that this measure would protect the people
and national unity from a private media-led psychological war
aimed at dividing the nation. If his message was not clear
enough, Chavez then brandished one of the newly acquired
rifles and aimed it a cameraman from the opposition
Globovision network, who was visibly shaken.

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CHAVISTAS GIVE UNBRIDLED SUPPORT
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3. (U) After Chavez's speech, Minister of Communication
Willian Lara gave an immediate press conference to elaborate
on Chavez's announcement, couching it in terms of
constitutional legality. Lara invoked the terms of the Law
of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television (RESORTE) as
the guiding principle behind the President's pronouncement.
He carefully stated that if private television or radio
stations are found to not be complying with the RESORTE law
or other regulations, then indeed there would be valid reason
not to renew their licenses. Lara mentioned that Chavez was
referring to the possibility of not renewing licenses based
on findings of an Information and Communications Ministry
study. Lara later added that the BRV need not wait for the
licenses to expire to rescind them based on legal violations.


4. (U) National Assembly President Nicolas Maduro also
lauded Chavez's initiative, calling television programming
"pornography" which permeates throughout society, "just like
in the United States." Maduro called for debate on the
subject of a new communication paradigm in Venezuela, one
that does not require the country to become entirely prudish
but one that uses the power of the media to "stimulate values
of co-existence, love, and society."

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THE OPPOSITION REACTS
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5. (U) Presidential candidate Teodoro Petkoff lamented that
Chavez views a free press as a "rock in his shoe." Another
candidate, William Ojeda, cited Chavez's announcement as

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further proof that this government is "incapable of being
democratic." Minor presidential candidate Roberto Smith said
Chavez's action revealed the "cowardice of a president who
wants to be re-elected," to the point of menacing all
possible critics. Secretary General of opposition party
COPEI, Luis Ignacio Plana, labeled it a "vile attack" that
will have the greatest impact on the poor by removing their
primary method of airing their complaints.

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WHOM DOES THIS AFFECT?
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6. (C) Charge and PAO met with RCTV president Marcel
Granier June 17. Granier characterized Chavez's statement as
a full frontal assault on freedom of expression. He
indicated, however, that Chavez often takes his time in
following up his rhetoric with action. This is not to say
his threats are empty, he said, because their effect is to
leave the targets in a stage of uncertainty. Granier said
Chavez is likely to string this threat out as long as
possible.


7. (SBU) During his speech, Chavez implied some significant
opposition media licenses would expire in 2007. RCTV and
Globovision, the two highest-profile anti-Chavez television
stations, point out they are licensed through 2020 and 2015,
respectively. Minister Lara's clarification on June 20
suggested the BRV could at any time use the
telecommunications regulator, CONATEL, and its Social
Responsibility Directorate, to shutter any station.

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COMMENT
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8. (C) We have little doubt Chavez would one day like to
silence all news outlets that criticize him. The scene and
timing for the announcement, however, makes us wonder if this
is not some Chavez formulaic shock talk to distract attention
from other serious problems like corruption scandals,
skyrocketing crime, or expensive overseas adventurism.
Regardless, Chavez's remarks are yet another compelling proof
of Chavez's animosity toward the free press and growing
authoritarianism.

BROWNFIELD