Chavez: ‘Media outlet’ concession likely to end

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez made a thinly veiled threat against an opposition television station on Thursday, hours after dozens of protesters took to the streets in a show of support for the network.

Without mentioning Globovision’s name, Chavez called on the people to be on the alert for a conspiracy “that has to do with a media outlet.”

“The possibility exists that the concession they hold will come to an end,” Chavez said.

“Every day the possibility becomes more likely,” he said, adding that the outlet’s concession could be revoked if it “violated laws, challenged the government, started rumors.”

In recent weeks, Chavez’s government has stepped up its confrontation with Globovision — the only remaining strongly anti-Chavez channel on the open airwaves. Earlier this month, the president urged Globovision’s executives to reflect on the station’s tough criticism of his government, or else it “won’t be on the airwaves much longer.”

Prosecutors and regulators have since taken a range of actions against Globovision and its owner. The telecommunications regulator asked prosecutors to determine if Globovision is responsible for a talk show guest’s suggestion that foes might kill Chavez — a probe that could potentially force the station off the air.

To condemn the government’s actions, dozens of demonstrators wearing red gags over their mouths protested outside a government building in the capital on Thursday.

The group, A World Without a Gag, organized the protest on the Internet and called for demonstrations both in Venezuela and at diplomatic missions abroad. Small protests were held in cities including Miami and Santiago, Chile.

“We’re here to reject the government’s attacks against the media and to demand of President Hugo Chavez that he please respect the media, which are the voice of the people,” said Isabel Sanchez, a 60-year-old housewife.

She held a sign bearing the name of another anti-Chavez channel, Radio Caracas Television, which was forced off the airwaves in 2007 when the government refused to renew its broadcast license. It has since moved to cable.