[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Id–ZFtjR5c&w=580&h=435]
We were saddened to see the death of Hugo Chavez today – and the barely contained joy from parts of the global elite. The focus on the ‘restrictions to the media’ in particular forms the central plank of the various liberal, neo-liberal and neo-con responses to his government. We thought it would be good to post a reminder of the reason why particular media outlets in Venezuela were restricted over the last decade. The Revolution will not be Televised is a fly-on-the-wall documentary from an Irish film crew who happened to be in Venezuela when the coup against Chavez began. It is compelling watching, although its circulation has been surprisingly curtailed by its distributers.
Hugo Chavez: The Revolution Will Not be Televised
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Freedom of expression in Venezuela under Chavez? (14:55) Really?
The documentary was, I believe, made before he shut down the private media channels, so I think the statement is justified. The ‘free speech’ critique was essentially only levelled after the coup when the private media appeared to be part of the conspiracy. Certainly in the UK, if ITV of Sky or ‘Dave’ supported a military coup against an elected government they would be shut down. Of course it is more complex than this – there is the murder rate, the political prisoners, and all of that. But we should be clear about the complexity at least, and not fall back on snide remarks.