By Mondo Times editors
Boulder Colorado USA
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 9:13am

Anti-Chavez Group Accuses KRIV TV 26 of Censorship

-- According to a statement released May 5, 2011 by the Committee to Free Venezuela Foundation, KRIV, a Houston station, refused to air a documentary produced by the Committee, even though the film had reportedly been approved by Fox Television Network management.

The documentary is said to be highly critical of Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez, and Citgo, an oil-conglomerate controlled by Chavez, whose U.S. base of operations is in Houston.

On May 5, Jeffrey Cohen, executive director of the Committee to Free Venezuela Foundation, sent a letter to KRIV vice president and general manager D'Artagnan Bebel, demanding an explanation for the station's refusal to air the film.

From the letter:

"Dear Mr. Bebel:

I'm writing to ask you to explain why KRIV Fox 26 in Houston is protecting Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez and his oil company Citgo from criticism at the expense of the First Amendment and the American people's right to be exposed to a legitimate public policy issue.

On April 29, 2011, the Committee to Free Venezuela Foundation purchased 30 minutes of airtime on KRIV to air a documentary on May 8, 2011 to raise the awareness of public policy concerns related to Hugo Chavez.

Despite the fact that this documentary was approved by the legal department of Fox TV Stations, Inc. (which owns KRIV), we were informed that KRIV chose to reject showing the documentary to your viewers on the basis that, "Station Management has made the determination that the show subject matter is one they are uncomfortable airing."

The opinion expressed in the documentary not only critiques Hugo Chavez's rabid socialist anti-American agenda, but also extends to Citgo -- which is controlled by Chavez, and whose U.S. Headquarters are in Houston.

The only logical conclusion is that what makes KRIV uncomfortable is that by airing our documentary, KRIV might upset those in Houston who are involved with an oil conglomerate that lines Hugo Chavez's pockets with millions and millions of dollars of Americans' hard-earned money.

It's shocking that you would reject -- in fact censor -- the re-broadcast of a speech that expresses the opinion of a respected expert in this area, Congressman Connie Mack. The Congressman's speech was delivered to a live audience, has been re-broadcast in other areas and made publicly available. Our documentary simply introduces this issue and his speech to a broader audience, and concludes with a statement on this matter of real consequence to the American People.

KRIV's failure to air this documentary reflects a disdain and disregard for America's most basic freedom -- freedom of speech. I'm sure any Houston area high school civics teacher would attest that the First Amendment does not provide an exception for your being, "uncomfortable."

In the meantime, I'm sure others in the media and beyond will be fascinated by your peculiar interpretation of the freedom of speech. Except of course for Hugo Chavez, who no doubt applauds you for following his well-worn path of censorship.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey M. Cohen
Executive Director
Committee to Free Venezuela Foundation"

Go to the KRIV TV 26 profile for more information about this TV station, including background, ownership, links, ratings, and reviews.

To submit a KRIV TV 26 review:

• Log in now if you are a Mondo Times member.
• If you are not a member, register for a free Mondo Times basic membership.

You can also see the latest Mondo Times media news & reviews.