Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10SAOPAULO58
2010-01-27 16:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Sao Paulo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION: VENEZUELA PRESS FREEDOM
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSO #0058 0271643 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 271641Z JAN 10 FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0321 INFO RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000058
SIPDIS
STATE INR/R/MR
IIP/R/MR
WHA/PD
DEPT PASS USTR
4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC OIIP BR XM XR KMDR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: VENEZUELA PRESS FREEDOM
Chavez Radicalizes
Editorial in liberal Folha de S. Paulo (1-27) notes:
"....[Venezuela's] authoritarian gesture.....[suspending operation
of a TV station opposed to President Hugo Chavez] reflects the
current circumstances of Chavez's government. The economic
recession, rising inflation and 'Cubanization' of basic services -
the country lives under water and energy rationing - are taking
their political toll.....Trapped, Chavez is trying to limit press
actions because....what supports the regime is his direct link with
the masses - and a free press is always a hindrance to that....OAS
Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza criticized the suspension.
The American and French governments also condemned the limits
imposed on the right to information. From Itamaraty, not even a
word....The Lula Administration's problem is adopting an opposite
position reacting in accordance to its ideological proximity to the
aggressor."
White