If you want to be a real dictator, you have to do away with a free press. If you want to dictate and oppress and repress, you can't stand to have some pesky journalist reporting and questioning every move you make. Otherwise, the populace might get the idea that you are, well, a dictator.
Wannbe-dictator Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has learned that lesson well.
CARACAS - Venezuela will not renew the license of an opposition-aligned TV station when it expires next year, President Hugo Chávez said Thursday, accusing the broadcaster of backing plots to topple him.Chávez, who was reelected by a wide margin Dec. 3, said in a speech to troops that the head of Radio Caracas Televisión, Marcel Granier, was mistaken in believing ``that concession is eternal.''
''The television concession runs out on him in March,'' Chávez said. ``So he had best start packing his bags and seeing what he's going to do after March. There will be no new concession for that coup-plotting television channel named Radio Caracas Televisión.''
The channel, also known as RCTV, is among a number of private TV and radio networks that in recent years have strongly criticized Chávez's government and favored the opposition.
''No media outlet will be tolerated here that is at the service of coup-ism, against the people, against the nation, against national independence, against the dignity of the republic,'' said Chávez, wearing a red beret and fatigues in his year-end speech to troops.
'I'm announcing it before the date arrives so that they don't keep on with their little story that `No, that it's for 20 more years,' '' Chávez said.
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