Freedom of Expression in Venezuela

In his May 14 op-ed, "Dead Air in Caracas," Jackson Diehl misrepresented the circumstances of the expiration of Radio Caracas Television's (RCTV) broadcast license.

As with other democracies, Venezuelan law allows the government the right to grant broadcast licenses, renew them or let them expire. In Venezuela these decisions are based on public interest standards and the provisions of the constitution of 1999.

The expiration of RCTV's license will not affect the Venezuelan government's commitment to freedom of expression and information. Freedom of expression is alive and well in Venezuela, and the overwhelming majority of the media remain in private hands. Of the 81 television stations, 709 radio broadcasters and 118 newspapers throughout Venezuela, 79, 706 and 118, respectively, are privately owned and operated.

The Venezuelan government is working to democratize access to and ownership of the media by helping to create community-based media outlets and by launching the country's first public service television station, whose content will be determined by independent users and producers -- not government officials.

Unfortunately, RCTV has a history of ignoring its responsibilities to the Venezuelan people and their democracy. Since 1976 the broadcaster has been sanctioned on a number of occasions for violating its responsibilities to the public interest, and in 2002 its owner, Marcel Granier, actively supported a coup against the democratically elected government of President Hugo Chávez. In no country would such conduct be permitted by a media outlet; in fact, U.S. broadcasters have faced fines or license revocations for lesser offenses.

HELENA SALCEDO

Director

Venezuelan National Radio

Caracas