Over-Kill in Venezuela

Reports today that the oldest privately owned television station in Venezuela has gone off the air for good and has been replaced by a government-owned public station don’t hold well for diversity in that country at all. RCTV has for long incurred the ire of President Hugo Chavez beginning from the time when it sided with the coup that ousted him from power for a brief period of time. But its existence is a necessary element in a society which is striving to attend to the welfare of a vast population of underprivileged citizens. It could serve as a check on reality for the government. Where does Mr. Chavez want the category of Venezuelans whose views are represented by the RCTV to go to? Underground? They will pose a serious danger from underground than they could have ever posed if they were left alone.

There’s no doubt that RCTV is the victim of the ideological tangling which has been going on between Caracas and Washington since that failed attempt to oust Chavez, who believes that the US was involved. Although it is not a secret that there is no love lust between the George W. Bush White House and Mr. Chavez, it doesn’t seem like it is in the interest of international co-existence for either side to be constantly engaged in acts that over heat the hostile relationship between both countries. Chavez has been unrelenting in accusing the US of planning to overthrow his government. Washington has denied that all the way. Proceeding on acts that polarize society in Venezuela will not in any way amount to long-term good. The government has the resources to counter whatever propaganda that the owners of RCTV are capable of inflicting on Venezuelan society. Compelling the station to go off air by refusing to renew its license is an over kill. One would have hoped that Chavez and his government were more realistic and reasonable.