New Technologies Take Joy Out of Being a Dictator

By: Samuel K. Sloan (Farpoint Media Exec. News Dir.)

Where is George Orwell when you need him?

It seems that today’s innovative technologies that are now available to almost anyone, anywhere has taken some of the perks out of being a dictator bent on controlling what news and programming comes out of and into his/her country. After taking away weapons from the masses, generally the next thing a dictator likes to do after taking power, even if that power is given to them by vote, is shut down any television, radio and newspaper businesses that are in opposition to his/her policies.

President Hugo Chavez had his metal put to the test after he shut down an opposition television station a couple of months ago (May 27th). The station was very popular with the majority of people in Venezuela, and Chavez shutting it down caused protests and riots between his troops and the citizenary. Now, Radio Caracas Television (RCTV) is considering a move to cable or satellite after the Venezulean President refused to renew their license and locked their doors.

One of the chiefs in charge of programming stated that this move to alternative methods of transmission has become a must in countries like Venezuela. “I hope that this month we have news about coming out through other paths,” the spokesperson said.

Globovision, another station in the country, has given space on their broadcast for some RCTV programming, according to the Associated Press — but this is a temporary arrangement.

The move to either cable or satellite will be tested in the country’s courts now that the station has brought charges against officials that amount to bullying tactics and state-sanctioned “theft.” The government took the broadcast equipment used by RCTV and gave it to a state-run service channel that now occupies the spot on the TV dial once held by RCTV.

“We know that the absence of the rule of law makes it nearly impossible to receive justice in Venezuela. However, we will make the complaint … and later take that complaint before international courts,” the RCTV spokesperson went on to say.

We wish them success in getting back on the air as freedom of expression is the backbone of any free and progressive forward-looking society.