Canada concerned over free speech rights in Venezuela

January 28, 2010

OTTAWA — Canada decried Thursday Venezuela's decision over the weekend to yank six cable TV stations off the air, saying the move was "evidence of a shrinking democratic space" in the South American country.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Peter Kent also regretted the deaths of two students during demonstrations that followed the closures.
"Canada is concerned over the Venezuelan government's recent suspension of broadcasting of six television stations and the death of two students in protests related to this action," Kent said in a statement.

"These events are further evidence of a shrinking democratic space in Venezuela."
Kent urged Caracas, which allowed three of the stations to go back on the air Wednesday, to reverse the closures. Those outlets were TV Chile, American Network and Ritmo Son.

"Freedom of expression and access to information from a wide range of sources are fundamental elements of a healthy democracy," the senior diplomat said.
"Canada urges the government of Venezuela to immediately restore the transmissions of the six affected stations."

Venezuela closed the six cable television stations -- including one which had been highly critical of the government -- on Sunday, citing a new law requiring all "national media outlets" to broadcast speeches made by government officials.

Three of the stations -- Momentum, America TV and the anti-Chavez network RCTV -- remain closed for violating the law passed in December by refusing to air speeches by firebrand leftist President Hugo Chavez.

Venezuelan officials said a cable television station is considered "national," and therefore subject to local laws, when at least 30 percent of its weekly programming is culled from Venezuela-made productions.