Chavez closes 34 radio stations!
CARACAS, Venezuela - August 2, 2009 - Some 200 Venezuelans gathered outside a Caracas broadcaster Saturday to protest a decision by President Hugo Chavez's government to revoke the licenses of 34 radio stations.
The demonstration occurred outside CNB 102.3 FM, which cut its over-the-air transmission Saturday morning on orders from the telecommunications regulatory agency and is now transmitting only over the Internet.
Station director Zaira Belfort said CNB planned to appeal the order, but she warned that the shutdown decision is likely "only the beginning of the closures of free media in Venezuela."
"This is a government attack," she said. "We want to keep living in democracy, and once again they've silenced us."
Chavez said Saturday that he approved the telecommunications agency's decision to shut down radio stations ruled to be operating illegally.
"We're applauding Diosdado for the decision he has made to take back these stations for the people," Chavez said, referring to agency chief Diosdado Cabello.
