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Venezuelan TV urges Chavez talks | Venezuelan TV urges Chavez talks |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Venezuelan broadcaster Globovision has called for talks with leader Hugo Chavez over his threat to close it for criticising the government. | Venezuelan broadcaster Globovision has called for talks with leader Hugo Chavez over his threat to close it for criticising the government. |
President Chavez told the station's bosses they should "reflect" on their criticism or they could be shut down. | President Chavez told the station's bosses they should "reflect" on their criticism or they could be shut down. |
But station executives said they were willing to "sit down and talk, like they do in civilized countries", with the president. | But station executives said they were willing to "sit down and talk, like they do in civilized countries", with the president. |
Mr Chavez has previously been accused of attacking press freedom. | |
Globovision is the last anti-Chavez channel left on the regular airwaves, Associated Press reported. | Globovision is the last anti-Chavez channel left on the regular airwaves, Associated Press reported. |
"The president should know that if he wants to talk, we're willing," Globovision director Alberto Federico Ravell said. | "The president should know that if he wants to talk, we're willing," Globovision director Alberto Federico Ravell said. |
'Behave correctly' | 'Behave correctly' |
Apart from threats from the president, the station has recently had to deal with a $2.3m fine for alleged unpaid taxes, its president being charged in an alleged fraud probe and an investigation into allegations linking the channel to an anti-government conspiracy. | Apart from threats from the president, the station has recently had to deal with a $2.3m fine for alleged unpaid taxes, its president being charged in an alleged fraud probe and an investigation into allegations linking the channel to an anti-government conspiracy. |
Mr Ravell also said Mr Chavez personally called the station, threatening to close them down unless they "behave correctly". | Mr Ravell also said Mr Chavez personally called the station, threatening to close them down unless they "behave correctly". |
"But what is behaving correctly? Not informing people?" Mr Ravell asked. | "But what is behaving correctly? Not informing people?" Mr Ravell asked. |
Mr Chavez has said there is freedom of expression in the country. | Mr Chavez has said there is freedom of expression in the country. |
"The government has been tolerant not only with criticism, but with the offensive, the permanent aggression against the Venezuelan government," he told a regional summit last week. | "The government has been tolerant not only with criticism, but with the offensive, the permanent aggression against the Venezuelan government," he told a regional summit last week. |
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