Radio Stations Going Silent in Venezuela, Ecuador

Radio Stations in Venezuela and Ecuador are going silent due to actions by the countries' repressive governments.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - Iran is not the only country enforcing a recent information blackout. Thirty-four radio stations in Venezuela have been forced off the air by officials of President Hugo Chavez in a move to silence those who aired viewed contrary to those of the government.

The country's telecommunications regulators have revoked the licenses of some stations while choosing not to renew others. According to the Voice of America, The Circuito Nacional Belfort Network, CNB, 102.3 FM in Caracas, was among the first to stop broadcasting last Saturday morning. At least four other CNB stations also went off the air.

According to CNN, the number could grow to 200 stations in the coming week. Venezuela's public works minister, Diosdado Cabello, reported to CNN reported that the 34 stations were closed for letting their permits expire, failing to update their registration, or broadcasting with licenses issued to individuals no longer living.

Disruptions have spilled over to television as well. According to local news reports coming out of Venezuela, a group of more than 30 armed pro-government militants riding motorcycles stormed the premises of private broadcaster Globovisión on Monday.

Previously, the independent television station, a constant critic of the Chavez administration had been the subject of several investigations by telecommunications regulators and was attacked by the pro-government group, La Piedrita, in September of 2008.

Press freedom and human rights activists have both raised their voices in opposition to the actions of the government, alledging that the government is attempting to silence their critics. Protesters gathering this past weekend outside of CNB Radio in a visible demonstration of their

Hundreds of Venezuelan protesters gathered outside the CNB radio station over the weekend to visibly express their outrage.

"I feel the country that I knew, where I was raised, is slipping away," Alix Villareal, a 43-year-old maid told USA Today. "I'm sad because little by little they are taking away everything, and nobody does anything."

In a similar action, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa announced on Tuesday that his government will take over "many" radio and television stations, stating that their licenses were granted illegitimately.

In a radio interview late Monday, Correa said that the control of these stations will be taken over by the state. The president indicated that the actions came after a report was compiled by a government commission regarding those the stations.

Government officials in both Venezuela and Ecuador have refuted accusations that the actions against these stations was an attack against freedom of the press.

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