Chavez's Censorship: Where 'Disrespect' Can Land You in Jail [ABSOLUTE & UTTER HYPOCRISY ALERT]

The Washington Post ^ | March 28, 2005 [YES 2005 !] | Jackson Diehl

[TaxachusettsMan]

Much of the Venezuelan media has aggressively opposed Chavez's populist "Bolivarian revolution," though not without reason: The former coup-plotting colonel is well on his way to destroying what was once the most stable and prosperous democracy in Latin America. Some newspapers and television stations openly sided with attempts to oust the president via coup, strike or national referendum. Having survived all three, a strengthened Chavez is moving to eliminate critical journalists and create in Venezuela the kind of state-controlled media environment in which a minister of information is all-powerful.

The first step was a new media content law, adopted by the Chavez-controlled legislature last December, that subjects broadcast media to heavy fines or the loss of their licenses for disseminating information deemed "contrary to national security." Its impact was soon felt: Two of the most prominent anti-government journalists lost their jobs as anchors on morning television shows, and Venezuelans quickly noticed the appearance of self-censorship among those who remained.

Ten days ago Chavez handed [the information minister] a still-bigger stick: a new penal code that criminalizes virtually any expression to which the government objects -- not only in public but also in private.

Start with Article 147: "Anyone who offends with his words or in writing or in any other way disrespects the President of the Republic or whomever is fulfilling his duties will be punished with prison of 6 to 30 months if the offense is serious and half of that if it is light." That sanction, the code implies, applies to those who "disrespect" the president or his functionaries in private; "the term will be increased by a third if the offense is made publicly."

Prosecutors are authorized to track down allegedly criminal inaccuracies not only in newspapers and electronic media, but also in e-mail and telephone communications.

[TaxachusettsMan]

Like so many Leftists, the Crackpot of Venezuela is nothing but a big, fat (literally), hypocritical, fraudulent buffoon.

[Gordongekko909]

And the DUmmies call Bush a dictator. The fact that they are able to proves them wrong.

[Bigh4u2]

Makes you wonder if the "Compost" would have reported this had not some democrats raised a stink about Chavez's speech.

[KJC1]

Ping!

[Killborn]

When the coup against him fizzled, did any FReepers saw his true colors?

[ivy]

Who cares!

He hates Bush and that's what counts with the MoonBats!

[xkaydet65]

The Dums like Pelosi and Rangel went into a panic mode because of Chavez. All they could imagine was Rove juxatposing images of Rangel and the other Dems posing with Chavez with Chavez's comments at the UN and Mount Olive Church and Cooper Union. End it with a simple question, Do you want any of these people in a position of responsibility in Congress?

Pelosi and rangel probably have already privately apologized to Chavez and told him to keep speaking so they can react with imagined anger.

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

The former coup-plotting colonel is well on his way to destroying what was once the most stable and prosperous democracy in Latin America...

Thanx to helpful one on one tutoring from Jimmah Cahtah.

[MaineVoter2002]

Has anybody seen this video of Chavez? Looks like cattle behind him as he bashes Bush.

http://www.cafenetamerica.com

[Howlin]

Thank you for posting this, Tax!

One of my favorite moments this week happened to be on CNN when Anderson Cooper was interviewing Ahmanutjob; the Iranian asked him, "Whose questions are you asking" or something like that, and Cooper looked him dead in the eye and said, "Here in America, we have freedom of the press, unlike Iran."

For once that little shrimp was speechless.

[BenLurkin]

Wait until about year 7 of a Hillary presidency... the "fairness doctrine" will be applied in a similar manner.

[Diplomat]

Heck, swap out the word diablo and replace it with hitler and their speeches are identical.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Chavez may have been democratically elected, the first time, but so was Hitler. Like Hitler, Chavez has used intimidation and goon squads to run off any opposition in the legislative and judicial branches and replace them with his minions. Though Jimmy Carter--who doesn't have the common sense of a jackass--endorsed the last election for Chavez, a monitoring team of computer experts from MIT said it was a fraud.

[weegee]

Whoever followed Chavez to the podium should've commented PUBLICLY on his flatulence.

[weegee]

The left loves what he says so they give him a pass but they don't like being lumped in bed with him (even though Cindy Sheehan is perfectly happy there)...

Here's an excerpted comment from a leftist on an apolitical forum:

"Nuts...evil...crazy...whatever. Like I've said before, I don't like any of them."

[holden]

...and in Chicago, BJ had the Mendoza couple shaken down and harrassed by the Secret Service because the Mrs. said, "Those boys died!"

Pre-2001, under Clinton, it was simply prudence that inclined freepers to use only ficticious screen names instead of their real names.

That pall would return BigTime if Shrillery were to regain The Whitehouse.

HF

[BenLurkin]

Homely and homilier.