The polarization in Venezuela longer displayed on the screens of ... - The Miami Herald

class=”dateline”> CARACAS – television polarization of recent years in Venezuela lost much verve after the sale and subsequent shift to the center channel publishing private Globovision last screen open to opposition , although the official channel VTV Chavez continues to have the same attitude of permanent struggle against dissent.

A “sketch” of a popular comedy show in which a dealer Globovision takes a pizza that had been ordered by the official channel VTV, as if they were the same company, gives an idea of ??the feeling I left the change editorial guidance that private channel after its sale in May after the presidential poll by the death of Hugo Chavez.

private channel, which earlier used to live fully convey acts of opposition leaders and spent part of their programming to criticize the government, changed his face with the new owners, according to the opposition close to Chavez: several of its journalists most critical resigned, some programs were abolished complaint and opened a little official information.

Two episodes in the sets of Globovision, unthinkable just months very well symbolize this change: the first interview in eleven years they did to Diosdado Cabello, number two and exgolpista Chavez with Chavez in 1992, and a tribute paid to him by the late leader six months before his death the former Minister Ernesto Villegas communication.

However, in the public channel VTV no changes were observed: broadcast live acts President Nicolas Maduro, disseminates the achievements of the “Bolivarian Revolution”, discrediting the opposition not to ever go-channel and supports with all kinds of programs the government’s political narrative and worship Chavez.

“In Venezuela yes there is freedom of expression, but is curtailed the right to information. With the opening of Globovision, the polarization has dropped a lot and has improved that right, but politically and electorally could blur a (Henrique) Capriles, “the opposition leader, explains Maryclen Stelling, sociologist and member of the Global Media Monitoring.

“Instead, in VTV behavior persists media battle, although no opponent faces before,” adds Stelling, Capriles remember that their actions now spreading its internet channel Capriles.tv.

Carlos Correa, director of the NGO “Public Space”, agrees that Globovision change is “plausible” but believes that “you have to wonder if a change forced by government pressure.”

“VTV channel remains an openly biased, not a public service channel, but the ruling party. By reducing the polarization, one would expect that the public media also open, “he adds.

“The government has a theory that information about their achievements, their successes are not outlined in the opposition media, which exacerbate the mistakes made or the country’s problems,” says Stelling.