Chavez Frias defends Catia TV and warns against dictatorial opposition
President Hugo Chavez Frias has come out in support of community and alternative Catia TV calling Metropolitan Mayor Alfredo Pena's decision to close the TV channel's studio in Lidice Hospital "dictatorial" and "proper to fascism."
Speaking during his Sunday radio address, Chavez Frias says he agrees with the analysis of Las Ultimas Noticias tabloid editor, Eleazar Diaz Rangel, who asks what would have been the reaction if the government had done the same against a private TV channel and what the reaction would have been internationally ... "would we have seen an Organization of American States (OAS) commission in Venezuela?"
Congratulating Catia TV staff for their work and dedication, the President has reminded listeners that community and alternative radios have increased during his government and are protected by the new telecommunications law.
The President says he wonders how Venezuela would have been if he had not been returned to power on April 13, 2002.
According to Catia TV director, Blanca Eekhout, they were able to get back some equipment but not dismantle the antenna because of heavy rains and has announced that the station will introduce a protection petition to recover the studio and rest of equipment so that it can continue its normal services to the community.
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