This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6696699.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Caracas rallies over TV closure Clashes before Caracas TV closure
(about 4 hours later)
Supporters and critics of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are rallying in Caracas, hours ahead of the closure of an opposition-aligned TV station. Police have used water cannon on the streets of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, ahead of the closure of an opposition-aligned state TV station.
Mr Chavez refused to renew Radio Caracas TV's (RCTV) licence, saying it had tried to undermine his government. Supporters and opponents of President Hugo Chavez' decision both gathered in the hours before Radio Caracas TV (RCTV) was due to go off air.
Emotional opponents marched in the streets, while supporters massed in a city park.
Mr Chavez said RCTV tried to undermine his government and needed replacing
We are living an injustice - I wish that tonight would never come Eyla AdrianTV presenter
The president says the new channel that will take its place will better reflect his ongoing socialist revolution.
RCTV and rights groups say Mr Chavez is limiting freedom of expression.RCTV and rights groups say Mr Chavez is limiting freedom of expression.
Emotions are running high across the capital, says the BBC's Will Grant in Caracas.
Many Venezuelans back Mr Chavez' decision to remove the licenceReports said rocks were thrown and several police officers were lightly injured.
Employees of RCTV, Venezuela's most watched channel, embraced and chanted "freedom" as they prepared for a final night of programmes.Employees of RCTV, Venezuela's most watched channel, embraced and chanted "freedom" as they prepared for a final night of programmes.
Some employees were vowing to occupy the station studios overnight, possibly to hinder the government takeover, the AFP news agency reported. "We are living an injustice," Eyla Adrian, a 35-year-old presenter, told the Associated Press.
"I wish that tonight would never come."
'Haven't lost hope''Haven't lost hope'
Thousands of supporters of the station took to the streets, banging pots and pans to show their anger at the decision.Thousands of supporters of the station took to the streets, banging pots and pans to show their anger at the decision.
We haven't lost hope that before midnight the president will react sensibly RCTV's General Manager Marcel Granier Meanwhile, pro-Chavez supporters held a party outside the ministry of communication, celebrating the end of the station's national reach.
Pro-Chavez supporters held a party outside the ministry of communication, celebrating the end of the station's national reach. RCTV KEY FACTS Venezuela's oldest private broadcaster, founded in 1953Only opposition broadcaster with national reachIn 2002, broadcast opposition calls to overthrow ChavezAirs large numbers of telenovelas and reality shows class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6697099.stm">In pictures: TV protests "I agree with what's happening," one woman told the BBC. "We have to support our president. They went too far and they showed him no respect. It was too much."
"I agree with what's happening," one woman told the BBC. "We have to support our president. They went too far and they showed him no respect. It was too much."
At a protest outside the RCTV studio, the station's supporters said the president was stamping on their freedom.At a protest outside the RCTV studio, the station's supporters said the president was stamping on their freedom.
RCTV KEY FACTS Venezuela's oldest private broadcaster, founded in 1953Only opposition broadcaster with national reachIn 2002, broadcast opposition calls to overthrow ChavezAirs large numbers of telenovelas and reality shows In pictures: TV protests
They said they would play air raid sirens with an SOS message, highlighting what they said was the president's illegal move.They said they would play air raid sirens with an SOS message, highlighting what they said was the president's illegal move.
In a broadcast all of Venezuela's TV stations were obliged to run, Mr Chavez said it had been his decision to shut down the station.In a broadcast all of Venezuela's TV stations were obliged to run, Mr Chavez said it had been his decision to shut down the station.
"That television station became a threat to the country so I decided not to renew the licence because it's my responsibility," Mr Chavez was quoted as saying by the Associated Press."That television station became a threat to the country so I decided not to renew the licence because it's my responsibility," Mr Chavez was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
RCTV's General Manager Marcel Granier said on Sunday that Mr Chavez was acting illegally.RCTV's General Manager Marcel Granier said on Sunday that Mr Chavez was acting illegally.
"We haven't lost hope that before midnight the president will react sensibly... he still has the opportunity to correct this abusive, arbitrary and illegal behaviour," he said."We haven't lost hope that before midnight the president will react sensibly... he still has the opportunity to correct this abusive, arbitrary and illegal behaviour," he said.
After midnight, he said, "the fight continues, freedom is something you have to fight for permanently".After midnight, he said, "the fight continues, freedom is something you have to fight for permanently".
Army readyArmy ready
From midnight on Sunday (0400 GMT Monday) RCTV will stop broadcasting on its public frequency.From midnight on Sunday (0400 GMT Monday) RCTV will stop broadcasting on its public frequency.
It will still be available on cable, but losing its broadcast frequency will deprive it of most of its audience.It will still be available on cable, but losing its broadcast frequency will deprive it of most of its audience.
Marcel Granier says "the fight continues" RCTV chief Marcel Granier spoke out against Mr Chavez's decision
In place of RCTV, a new state-sponsored channel, TVes, will launch with programmes that Mr Chavez has said will better reflect society.In place of RCTV, a new state-sponsored channel, TVes, will launch with programmes that Mr Chavez has said will better reflect society.
The government is providing $4m of funding to launch the new station.The government is providing $4m of funding to launch the new station.
A court ruled on Friday that RCTV must temporarily give up its broadcasting infrastructure, to ensure a smooth handover to TVes.A court ruled on Friday that RCTV must temporarily give up its broadcasting infrastructure, to ensure a smooth handover to TVes.
President Chavez has warned of tough action, should there be violence during protests.
"I call on the country lest anyone be provoked or any group lend itself to creating chaos," he said.
"Venezuelan armed forces are ready. Anyone generating violence will regret it."
Mr Chavez says that private stations like RCTV 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.Mr Chavez says that private stations like RCTV 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.
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.
Are you in Caracas? Have you witnessed the rallies? Send us your comments. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Caracas? Have you witnessed the rallies? Send us your comments. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
Find out more about how to send your pictures Find out more about how to send your pictures
Name:
 Name: