JOURNALISM IN THE AMERICAS Blog
Chavez publicly criticizes reporter from French radio network
The chain Radio France Internationale (RFI) came out in defense of its correspondent in Caracas, Venezuela, journalist Andreína Flores, whom President Hugo Chavez during a press conference accused of being ignorant and wanting to manipulate information, reported El Universal.
According to Europa Press, the journalist, who also is a correspondent for the Colombian radio network RCN, ran into trouble when she asked the president to explain why the government got 37 more congress members than the opposition, given the difference of only 100.000 votes in the elections this past Sunday, Sept. 26, and whether perhaps this gives standing to those who allege election fraud.
In response, Chavez hurled harsh criticisms at the reporter. “It seems as if you're totally ignoring what happened here, as if you lived on the moon," said Chavez, who also accused the French network of "shamelessly broadcasting lies," added El Observador.
In a statement, RFI replied to the president that its stories about Venezuela are aimed at an international audience and that its journalists adhere to an ethics code. “If you want, Mr. President, RFI invites you to express yourself before microphones during an interview," the statement concluded.
See Chavez's answer to Flores' questions in the following video:
Similar entries
- Peruvian presidential candidate’s car runs over reporter
- President Chavez criticizes attacks on official media in Venezuela
- New video series highlights dangers for journalists reporting on the tri-border area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay
- Political party spokesman under house arrest after attacking TV journalists in Guatemala
- VIDEO: FOPEA's Gabriel Michi discusses meeting of journalists along the triple-border of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil
Hugo Chavez is Great!
Hugo Chavez is Great! He the one who fight with "American Democracy"! Ancle Sam try to get whole world - i do not agree with this! And I happy that Hugo Chavez do not agree with this too.
And more question - who pay the "opposition"?
Exactly in his style
One of the characteristics of a democratic president is that he has to be able to take criticism. This is certainly not a characteristic of Chavez, who does not take kindly the slightest hint of criticism, to the extent that he has systematically curtailed all freedom of speech so as to hold on to power.
Even assuming that the question was loaded, he could have answered something like "your figures are incorrect. The correct figures are..." and then prove his point. Instead, he has done what all dictators do: Insult his critics and accuse them of lying when they cannot dispute the facts. Typical of a dictatorial mind.
Chavez may have been democratically elected in his first term, but anybody can see what he has been doing afterwards. Oh, and Hitler was also initially democratically elected... and very quickly showed his real face.
Add your comment