Venezuela's media bosses determined not to lose their privileges

www.vheadline.com Posted: Monday, February 17, 2003 By: David Coleman

Former 1st National Assembly (AN) president Willian Lara says that the owners of Venezuelans print & broadcast media have raised objections to the draft Law on Social Responsibility in Radio & TV because they are desperate to retain the privileges they enjoyed through 40+ years of pseudo-democracy.  "They are attempting to preserve the corrupt status quo they had had before Chavez Frias became President and they are prepared to put their demands ahead of any concern for Venezuelan society at large."

The Movimiento Quinto Republica (MVR) deputy told reporters that "in Venezuela, where we are constructing a participative form of democracy, where citizens are equals among equals, we are at the stage of defining which way to go in television, in radio ... they also have the right to participate as much in the design and production of program content as the viewer or listener ... and this is the perspective that is assumed in the draft law on Social Responsibility in Radio & Television.

"Of course, I understand that today's proprietors have practically a monopoly, super-powerful ... they do not feel they need to consult anyone, much less enter into dialogue with anybody to regulate program content or to give any opportunity to independent producers."

"At the same time they must learn to discuss what they are doing with the users and they should ensure that their broadcast message adheres to values expressed in the Constitution and become a real instrument of information and entertainment as well as educative, contributing to what is expressed in our Magna Carta.  What we intend to do with this law is to develop the national Venezuelan culture and the fundamental rights of the population in matters of health, education etc., in accord with the administration of the whole spectrum of broadcasting as detailed in the existing Organic Law of Telecommunications."

The draft Law on Social Responsibility in Radio & TV contains 150 articles, and was approved in a first reading in plenary session of the National Assembly last week before being remitted to the Permanent Commission on Science & Technogy's Media Committee where deputies will revise the bill ahead of a second reading and discussion of each article in Parliament.