The Attorney General argues that while a democratic state must respect freedom of expression, such freedom within the framework of rights has a limit, which she feels justified in fighting for. At the moment, Ortega Diaz declares, citizens are defenseless before the irrational use of the media ... "freedom of expression cannot and should not be extended to transmit hate messages without any penalties being applied."

Opposition media spokesman, Canizalez claims that a circle is being drawn around any possibility of independent expression in Venezuela, and that includes educational sectors, business sectors and the media and he forecasts an "avalanche of worrying announcements. If people do not react before the measures are taken, they will afterwards and will have to experience the consequences for themselves."

Psychiatrist Heriberto Gonzalez argues that at the moment the media and not the leaders of the opposition are 'the politicians' but and that the State and society have reacted far too late. The proposed law against media crimes is expected to deepen the current climate of media warfare existing in Venezuela as President Chavez responds to grassroots calls to get on with the revolution in all spheres of society.

Patrick J. O'Donoghue
news.editor@vheadline.com