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Venezuelans protest over TV issue Venezuelans protest over TV issue
(about 4 hours later)
Tens of thousands of people are protesting in Venezuela this weekend as a TV station critical of the government is taken off the air.Tens of thousands of people are protesting in Venezuela this weekend as a TV station critical of the government is taken off the air.
President Hugo Chavez has refused to renew a licence for Radio Caracas TV, claiming the station actively tries to undermine his government. President Hugo Chavez has refused to renew a licence for Radio Caracas TV, saying the station actively tries to undermine his government.
Opponents say the president is limiting freedom of expression.Opponents say the president is limiting freedom of expression.
But the decision is hugely popular amongst Mr Chavez's supporters, who are also marching to show their support.But the decision is hugely popular amongst Mr Chavez's supporters, who are also marching to show their support.
Thousands of Venezuelans have walked through the city's streets carrying banners, waving flags and chanting.Thousands of Venezuelans have walked through the city's streets carrying banners, waving flags and chanting.
Rule by decreeRule by decree
This weekend RCTV will stop broadcasting on its public frequency.This weekend RCTV will stop broadcasting on its public frequency.
Some said they did not like RCTV but defended its right to broadcastIn its place a new state-sponsored channel will launch with programmes the president says will better reflect society and further his socialist revolution.Some said they did not like RCTV but defended its right to broadcastIn its place a new state-sponsored channel will launch with programmes the president says will better reflect society and further his socialist revolution.
Mr Chavez has long disliked the main private media companies here.Mr Chavez has long disliked the main private media companies here.
He claims they were involved in a coup that nearly toppled him five years ago and says that since then they have actively tried to bring down his government. He says they were involved in a coup that nearly toppled him five years ago and that since then they have actively tried to bring down his government.
RCTV is often critical of his policies, but its owner Marcel Granier says his journalists have the right to question what they like.RCTV is often critical of his policies, but its owner Marcel Granier says his journalists have the right to question what they like.
Mr Chavez has stepped up his radical revolution since being re-elected in December 2006.Mr Chavez has stepped up his radical revolution since being re-elected in December 2006.
With the power to rule by decree he has nationalised key sectors of the economy and is drawing his supporters together under one unified party.With the power to rule by decree he has nationalised key sectors of the economy and is drawing his supporters together under one unified party.
All this is hugely popular amongst Mr Chavez's supporters, who are also marching to show their support for the decision not to renew RCTV's licence.All this is hugely popular amongst Mr Chavez's supporters, who are also marching to show their support for the decision not to renew RCTV's licence.
But this is a very divided country.But this is a very divided country.
The president's critics say he has become far too powerful.The president's critics say he has become far too powerful.
For them the removal of this voice of dissent is just one more step along a path to dictatorship.For them the removal of this voice of dissent is just one more step along a path to dictatorship.