Die Neue Zeit
14th August 2011, 20:03
Despite appearing on the Economist, here's commentary on the Venezuelan left's answer for the kind of sensationalist agitation seen on Faux News:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/americasview/2011/08/venezuelan-television
IN VENEZUELAS acutely polarised atmosphere, name-calling between political rivals is the norm. But no one dishes it out quite like Mario Silva (pictured at left), the presenter of La Hojilla (The Razorblade)a nightly talk programme whose mix of far-left rhetoric, obscene innuendo and defamatory accusations has made it President Hugo Chvezs favourite show of those aired on VTV state television. No blow is too low for Mr Silva when it comes to opponents of the president. In 2007 Norkys Batista, an actress and model, recorded a video clip supporting RCTV, a television station that Mr Chvez was about to shut down. Remember, Mr President, I also came from below, she said to the camera, referring to her working-class background. Mr Silva played the clip on La Hojilla and twisted the phrase to imply that Ms Batistas success was due to sexual favours.
Thanks to Mr Chvezs backing, Mr Silva has long been perceived as politically untouchable. He belongs to the leadership of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela and has close links with the intelligence services, as shown by his frequent use of wiretapped conversations on La Hojilla. The August 4th programme featured an excerpt from a private phone call made by Oswaldo lvarez Paz, a former state governor who is seeking the opposition candidacy in next years presidential election. (After hearing the recording, which could only be procured legally with a court order, Mr Chvez praised Mr Silvas creativity.)
[...]
Yet taking on a figure so closely tied to the president will not be easy. In March Mr Chvez put Conatel under direct control of the vice-president in order to facilitate the construction of socialism. And although a judge has accepted the libel case, it will be delayed for a mandatory period of negotiation between the two sides lawyers before it goes to trial. [b]In the meantime, Mr Otero has guaranteed his role as Mr Silvas on-air punching bag for months to come: in addition to an hijo de puta, he is now a vagabundo (bum) and golpista (coup-plotter).
http://www.economist.com/blogs/americasview/2011/08/venezuelan-television
IN VENEZUELAS acutely polarised atmosphere, name-calling between political rivals is the norm. But no one dishes it out quite like Mario Silva (pictured at left), the presenter of La Hojilla (The Razorblade)a nightly talk programme whose mix of far-left rhetoric, obscene innuendo and defamatory accusations has made it President Hugo Chvezs favourite show of those aired on VTV state television. No blow is too low for Mr Silva when it comes to opponents of the president. In 2007 Norkys Batista, an actress and model, recorded a video clip supporting RCTV, a television station that Mr Chvez was about to shut down. Remember, Mr President, I also came from below, she said to the camera, referring to her working-class background. Mr Silva played the clip on La Hojilla and twisted the phrase to imply that Ms Batistas success was due to sexual favours.
Thanks to Mr Chvezs backing, Mr Silva has long been perceived as politically untouchable. He belongs to the leadership of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela and has close links with the intelligence services, as shown by his frequent use of wiretapped conversations on La Hojilla. The August 4th programme featured an excerpt from a private phone call made by Oswaldo lvarez Paz, a former state governor who is seeking the opposition candidacy in next years presidential election. (After hearing the recording, which could only be procured legally with a court order, Mr Chvez praised Mr Silvas creativity.)
[...]
Yet taking on a figure so closely tied to the president will not be easy. In March Mr Chvez put Conatel under direct control of the vice-president in order to facilitate the construction of socialism. And although a judge has accepted the libel case, it will be delayed for a mandatory period of negotiation between the two sides lawyers before it goes to trial. [b]In the meantime, Mr Otero has guaranteed his role as Mr Silvas on-air punching bag for months to come: in addition to an hijo de puta, he is now a vagabundo (bum) and golpista (coup-plotter).