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Alert

Graffiti supporting non-renewal of RCTV's broadcasting license painted on station's walls

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 15 April 2007, followers of the revolutionary movement "Tupamaros", from the 23 de Enero neighbourhood in western Caracas, painted messages supporting the non-renewal of Radio Caracas Televisión's (RCTV) broadcasting frequency concession on the television station's façade.

The non-renewal of the station's broadcasting concession was announced by President Hugo Chávez on 28 December 2006, and its implementation would mean that RCTV will stop operating in May (see IFEX alerts of 19, 12 April, 12 and 2 January 2007, 29 and 21 December 2006).

The television station's cameras recorded the event, showing the "Tupamaros" leader, José Pinto, among the demonstrators.

Members of the "Tupamaros" also painted messages on the station's walls on 15 January, and published a communiqué accusing RCTV of producing "terrorist" journalism. On 27 March, followers of President Chávez painted similar messages on the station's facade.

RCTV is a privately-owned media outlet that opposes Chávez's government.

Even though citizens have a right to express themselves freely, IPYS considers that this does not include the right to damage private property.