Supporters of President Hugo Chávez's government painted the façade of the Globovisón television station's headquarters with ruling party logos and messages backing Chávez.
(IPYS-Venezuela/IFEX) – On 28 July 2010, supporters of President Hugo Chávez’s government painted the façade of the Globovisón television station’s headquarters with messages backing Chávez and with the logos of Venezuela’s United Socialist Party (PSUV). The incident took place in Caracas.
The individuals responsible for the graffiti identified themselves as workers for the Mercal food distribution network. Ronald Rivas, the network’s vice-president, spoke for the group, stating that the purpose of their actions was to demonstrate their rejection of Globovisión’s editorial stance, which he said conflicts with the interests of the country’s citizens. He also stated that the television station manipulates information in order to destabilise the “Bolivarian revolution”.
Rivas handed the station’s directors a notice demanding respect for Mercal’s workers, claiming that Globovisión is carrying out a campaign to discredit them.
IPYS-Venezuela condemns these actions as they constitute an attack on private property and a threat to media independence.
