Globovisión

The national director of Venezuela's telecommunications agency announced on Monday that a request has been lodged with the Attorney General's Office to open a criminal investigation into private television station, Globovision, for broadcasting calls for a coup d'état and for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez announced on Tuesday that suspect Lina Ron had been arrested for her presumed participation in a tear gas attack on the private television channel Globovision, in La Florida, Caracas on Monday.

The head of Venezuela's telecommunications agency (CONATEL), and minister of housing and infrastructure, Diosdado Cabello, announced on Saturday the immediate closure of 32 privately owned radio stations and 2 regional television stations, as their broadcast licenses had expired or they had violated regulations. Cabello said the recuperated licenses would be handed over to community media.

The Venezuelan Foreign Relations Ministry said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remarks on Venezuelan democracy constituted a throwback to past U.S. policy and put into question the sincerity of the Obama administration as the two countries renew their shaky diplomatic relations.

The Venezuelan government has opened an investigation into whether the private, opposition-aligned television channel, Globovision, has incited crimes including threats to assassinate President Hugo Chávez. If convicted, the channel could potentially lose its broadcasting license.  

Right wing TV station Globovision must pay over $US 3 million for using unauthorized microwaves and for evading taxes on advertising. Also, its president, Guillermo Zuloaga, was charged yesterday with usury connected to his selling of cars.

Venezuela's National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) began inspections of all radio and television stations in the country on Tuesday, two days after President Hugo Chávez vowed to put an end to the irresponsible behavior of one of the largest television stations, Globovision.