I will once again be silent for a few days as I leave Budapest, but I can’t help but write a brief note on what is definitely the most absurd thing to come our way in a while: The Government will investigate Globovision for its reporting of the earthquake last week and if sanctioned, could shut down the TV station for 72 hours or completely.
Globovision reported the tremor (conspiracy?) and noted that the webpage of Funvisis, in charge of seismic research in Venezuela was down and there was no information from the Government. (The same was true last month when a tremor hit Caracas on a Saturday afternoon, I had to use information from the US)
According to the investigation, Globovision created “fear” and “panic” with its report of the physical event, but of course people were avid for information as VTV showed a pre recorded Chavez tirade at 5 AM that morning.
What Globovision did was to use data from the US Geological service and note that it was a strong earthquake from a fault that had been dormant.
I guess soon,the media will not be able to report shortages, rain, floods or crime…
What a stupid revolution!
(Imagine if Globovision, or any other media outlet dared to report on Chavez’ “other”, “great”, “Science” and “Technology” project, the overpriced Simon Bolivar satellite, wobbling in orbit as a symbol and monument of the stupidity and ignorance of the revolution)
The Devil's Excrement 
May 11, 2009 at 9:24 am
Sooner, rather than later, this was bound to happen. I am surprised he hasn’t moved faster, against the rest of the available media (good thing blogs like this one, should last much longer).
May 10, 2009 at 2:17 pm
OT (like anything bad in Venezuela is off topic) anybody know why the PTO paper is throwing in the towel? http://www.correodelcaroni.com/ !!!
May 10, 2009 at 12:53 am
It is obvious that what Globovision did was to reveal a “State Secret”. No one in Venezuela would have known of the earthquake if Globovision had not published the information. Disasters cannot happen in a Socialist paradise. Absolutely everything is under control, and the Jefe Maximo is capable of controlling the weather, earthquakes, floods, and anything else his heart desires. Anything that happens that the Jefe doesn’t control is, obviously, sabotage. See, that simplifies everything, particularly reporting in Venezuela.
May 9, 2009 at 5:30 pm
See Cavez take oil assets:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aAfcnswHlic8&refer=news S.
May 9, 2009 at 1:09 pm
jo jo ‘si la naturaleza COLABORA a q cesen los partidos y se consolide la union, lucharemos contra GLOBOVISION y haremos q nos obedezca’ very bolivarian……
v
May 9, 2009 at 9:14 am
So Jerry, the professional thing for Globovision to to in this case would have been to say nothing about the earthquake?
May 8, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Miguel, if you happen to pass by Brussels, let me know and I pay you a good beer or two.
May 8, 2009 at 10:07 am
The official response is usually aimed a little higher, Jerry, but still below the belt.
May 8, 2009 at 9:52 am
The only thing Globovision is guilty of in this case is taking the opportunity to make another jab against the government and its institutions. A bit unprofessional, but not surprising in this country where low blows from both sides are more or less the norm. Of course, if the report may be counted as a hit below the belt, the official response to it is trying to aim for the general area of the knees…or rather, when served something mildly absurd, their reply is a full-blown farce.
May 8, 2009 at 8:24 am
It does make sense if you consider it a warning for broadcasting that a government institution wasn’t working as it should. Since it is a fairly harmless topic it is unlikely to pop up on anybody’s radar about freedom of the press.