Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have rallied in the streets of Caracas to protest against President Hugo Chavez’s plans to close a private TV station, writes BBC online, Sunday.
The head of the RCTV station addressed the marchers, urging them to defend freedom and “free independent media”.
President Chavez has said he will not renew a licence for the RCTV network which is due to expire on 27 May.
He accuses the opposition-allied TV station of supporting a failed coup against him in 2002.
He has referred to opposition television stations in general as “horsemen of the apocalypse” and has blamed RCTV in particular for spreading immorality with its steamy soap operas.
Mr Chavez plans to replace RCTV with a government-funded TV station.
