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Alert

Broadcast journalist with oppositional station receives death threat

(IPYS/IFEX) - The night of 26 September 2007, unidentified persons left a bag with the message "Motherland, socialism or death for you, Bicha", outside the house of journalist Berenice Gómez, also known as "La Bicha" (in reference to the name of a programme she hosts). The incident tookplace in the locality of San Antonio de los Altos, in the state of Miranda.

Neighbours called the police, who ruled out the presence of a bomb inside the bag.
Gómez hosts the segment "Los Chismes de la Bicha" ("Bicha's Gossip") on Radio Caracas Televisión, RCTV Internacional's programme "La Entrevista", which features criticisms and comments on political affairs. She also hosts an opinion programme on RCR radio.

RCTV Internacional has been broadcasting its programmes through subscription cable television ever since the National Commission for Telecommunications refused to renew the concession that allowed the station to broadcast by open signal up until May.

The phrase "Motherland socialism or death" has been used as President Chávez's political motto since he was sworn in for his new presidential term in January.