Venezuela to Transfer Private Media Concessions to Community Media

[The head of Venezuela's telecommunications agency (CONATEL), and minister of housing and infrastructure, Diosdado Cabello, announced on Saturday the immediate closure of 32 privately owned radio stations and 2 regional television stations, as their broadcast licenses had expired or they had violated regulations. Cabello said the recuperated licenses would be handed over to community media.]

Venezuela to Transfer Private Media Concessions to Community Media

August 3rd 2009, by Kiraz Janicke - Venezuelanalysis.com

Caracas, August 3rd 2009 (Venezuelanalysis.com) - The head of Venezuela's telecommunications agency (CONATEL), and minister of housing and infrastructure, Diosdado Cabello, announced on Saturday the immediate closure of 32 privately owned radio stations and 2 regional television stations, as their broadcast licenses had expired or they had violated regulations. Cabello said the recuperated licenses would be handed over to community media.

The minister said many of the stations were operating illegally and had failed to register or pay fees to CONATEL. Decisions are still pending on a further 206 stations.

(click here to read entire article)

Thursday August 20th: London Premiere of Inside the Revolution: A Journey into the Heart of Venezuela (New Documentary on Venezuela)

Alborada presents a screening of the new documentary

Inside the Revolution: A Journey into the Heart of Venezuela (Director Pablo Navarrete, 65min, 2009)

Introduced by the director

Thursday August 20th, 6.30-8.30pm, Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, London (Full details below)

Synopsis: February 2009 marked 10 years since Hugo Chavez took office, following a landslide election victory, and launched his revolution to bring radical change to Venezuela. While wildly popular with many in the country, Chavez's policies and his outspoken criticisms of the U.S. government have made him powerful enemies, both at home and abroad, especially in the media.

Filmed in Caracas in November 2008, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of Chavez's controversial presidency, this feature-length documentary takes a journey into the heart of Venezuela's revolution to listen to the voices of the people driving the process forward.

"This is a rare film about Venezuela, a country in extraordinary transition. Watch this film because it is honest and fair and respectful of those who want to be told the truth about an epic attempt, flaws and all, to claim back the humanity of ordinary people." - JOHN PILGER (Journalist, author and documentary filmmaker)

Event details: 6.30-8.30pm, Thursday August 20th (film starts 7pm)
Khalili Theatre,School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS),University of London,Thornhaugh Street,Russell Square,London WC1H OXG. Nearest Tube: Russell Square

£4 suggested donation

::: More info: info[a]alborada.net; http://www.alborada.net/

Watch the documentary's trailer here:http://www.youtube.com/alboradafilms

Facebook ‘event’ page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111688852395&ref=mf

Supported by Movimientos and the SOAS Palestine Society

Inside the Revolution: A Journey into the Heart of Venezuela (New Documentary on Venezuela)

February 2009 marked 10 years since Hugo Chavez took office, following a landslide election victory, and launched his revolution to bring radical change to Venezuela. While wildly popular with many in the country, Chavez's policies and his outspoken criticisms of the U.S. government have made him powerful enemies, both at home and abroad, especially in the media.

Filmed in Caracas in November 2008, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of Chavez's controversial presidency, this feature-length documentary takes a journey into the heart of Venezuela's revolution to listen to the voices of the people driving the process forward.

"This is a rare film about Venezuela, a country in extraordinary transition. Watch this film because it is honest and fair and respectful of those who want to be told the truth about an epic attempt, flaws and all, to claim back the humanity of ordinary people." - JOHN PILGER (Journalist, author and documentary filmmaker)

Released by Alborada Films.

Screenings and DVD copies from mid-August 2009.

***London Premiere: Thursday 20th August (7pm)***

Watch the trailer here.

More info: www.alborada.net
www.youtube.com/alboradafilms

Venezuela Reviews Relations with Colombia as More US Bases Established

[Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced on Monday night that bilateral relations with neighbouring Colombia are being fully reviewed following the decision by Colombia to allow the United States to use five military bases in its territory.]

Venezuela Reviews Relations with Colombia as More US Bases Established

July 21st 2009, by Kiraz Janicke

Caracas, June 21, 2009 (venezuelanalysis.com) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced on Monday night that bilateral relations with neighbouring Colombia are being fully reviewed following the decision by Colombia to allow the United States to use five military bases in its territory. A high-level bilateral meeting of the Colombia-Venezuela Commission, which was set to meet Tuesday July 21^st, was also suspended.

Chavez said he had instructed Venezuelan Foreign Relations Minister Nicolas Maduro to conduct a full review of bilateral relations, including diplomatic relations because Colombia's decision represents a threat to Venezuela.

(click here to view entire article)

Reporters Without Borders Lies About Venezuela

[Reporters Without Borders (RWB) alleges Globovisión, a "privately-owned news channel", in Venezuela is being "hounded by the government and the administration." However, contrary to what RWB asserts, the reality is different and has been carefully avoided by the French organization for "the defense of press freedoms."]

Reporters Without Borders Lies About Venezuela

July 13th 2009, by Salim Lamrani - Znet

On May 29, 2009, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) published an open letter to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in which the organization denounced the government's actions againstGlobovisión, a "privately-owned news channel", alleging it was being "hounded by the government and the administration." According to the Paris-based organization, Globovisión was being "targeted by official proceedings that could lead to it being taken off air for 72 hours" for "quoting statistics provided by the US Geological Survey"¹while reporting on the May 4, 2009 earthquake.¹ Venezuelan authorities are accusing the channel of "violating Article 29 of the Law of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television (Ley RESORTE), which sanctions media outlets that ‘promote, justify or incite war; promote, justify or incite disruption of public order.'"  RWB asks: "In what way does reporting on an earthquake, however poorly, fit within this definition of an offense?"² Presented in this way, the matter might shock international public opinion. However, contrary to what RWB asserts, the reality is different and has been carefully avoided by the French organization for "the defense of press freedoms." 

(click here to view entire article)

Marxists Must Stand Firm Against Ahmadinejad

[Open letter to the workers of Venezuela on Hugo Chávez's support for Ahmadinejad.]

Marxists Must Stand Firm Against Ahmadinejad

July 12th 2009, by Maziar Razi - London Progressive Journal

Open letter to the workers of Venezuela on Hugo Chávez's support for Ahmadinejad.

Honourable workers of Venezuela,

The Revolutionary Marxists of Iran are aware of your achievements as part of the Bolivarian Movement and have always supported this movement against the widespread lies and the open and covert interference of imperialism. In order to defend your invaluable movement and to confront the attacks and interference of US imperialism in Venezuela, labour and student activists in Iran have set up the ‘Hands Off Venezuela' campaign in Iran and during the past few years have stood together with you in confronting the imperialist attacks. It is obvious that your achievements were gained under the leadership of Hugo Chávez and, for this reason, you reserve deep respect for him.

(click here to view entire letter)

Latin American Studies Professors Slam AP for False Reports on Venezuela

July 18th 2009, by BoRev.net

Man oh man, how bad does AP reporting have to get before a group of Latin American studies professors from top U.S. universities decides they need to take out a FULL PAGE AD in the Columbia Journalism Review to respond?

(click here to view entire blog post)