Venezuela Internet freedom

[Paul Mihalka]

It would be funny if it wouldn't be so sad:

 

The parliament in Venezuela has approved a law which will tighten the rules regulating internet content.

 

Under the bill, online messages inciting hatred, or political and religious intolerance, are banned.

 

The new law also prohibits contents which is deemed to disrespect public officials.

 

Opposition politicians voted against the measure, which they say is a threat to freedom of speech.

 

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says it will help protect citizens against online crimes.

 

Under the new rules, providers of online contents and internet portals could be fined if images or messages appearing on their sites "disrespect public authorities, incite or promote hatred or create anxiety in the citizenry or alter public order".

 

President Chavez says the law will shield citizens from messages promoting drug use, prostitution and other crimes.

'Fighting cybercrime'

 

"We aren't eliminating the internet here, or censoring it," he said during his weekly television and radio broadcast on Sunday.

 

"What we're doing is protecting ourselves against crimes, against cybercrimes," he added.

 

The Venezuelan Chamber of Electronic Commerce has criticised the measure saying that it is another step on the way to censorship and the blocking of websites.

 

Opposition politicians accuse President Chavez of passing a raft of restrictive laws before January, when a new parliament with more opposition delegates is sworn in.

 

The measure was passed just days after parliament voted to give President Chavez special powers to pass laws by decree for 18 months.

[David]

He's the new Fidel.

 

I've been to Venezuela while he's in power, and my opinion is that he's a power-hungry, paranoid little man.

[Dennis Andress]

Careful David....

[John Ranalletta]

For a minute there, I thought you were discussing Genachowski.

 

The internet is the only mass media outside of political control. Chavez, Genachowski, the UN...they're all the same. Freedom of speech is an outmoded, dangerous concept if one's aim is to control the message.

 

Let's bring on an age of underground, pirate p2p networks and let the feds try to ferret them out.

 

Does that mean I'm one of Holder's "radicalized" amuricuns?

[Ken H.]

He's the new Fidel.

 

I've been to Venezuela while he's in power, and my opinion is that he's a power-hungry, paranoid little man.

I thought posts that disparage specific political people we not permitted on BMWST.com?

 

(Not a statement of support of Chavez, just sayin' – a bit of a double-standard going on here it seems.)

 

[John Ranalletta]

How could you ever discuss any megamoniacal despot with those restrictions?

[David]

He's the new Fidel.

 

I've been to Venezuela while he's in power, and my opinion is that he's a power-hungry, paranoid little man.

I thought posts that disparage specific political people we not permitted on BMWST.com?

 

(Not a statement of support of Chavez, just sayin' – a bit of a double-standard going on here it seems.)

 

If that's the policy that would permit me saying what I did about Chavez, then it's a fairly lame policy. And don't you have bigger world problems to solve?

[upflying]

Doesn't China also censor the internet?

[Albert]

Doesn't China also censor the internet?

 

Yes, but it's done in a completely bipartisan way. They don't trust anyone.

[Paul Mihalka]

He's the new Fidel.

 

I've been to Venezuela while he's in power, and my opinion is that he's a power-hungry, paranoid little man.

I thought posts that disparage specific political people we not permitted on BMWST.com?

 

(Not a statement of support of Chavez, just sayin' – a bit of a double-standard going on here it seems.)

My be the bmwst.com ruling applies only to USA political people

[FlyingFinn]

My be the bmwst.com ruling applies only to USA political people

 

Dang better not! I would get deeply hurt if someone here made remarks of the Finnish President Tarja Halonen, calling her little "homely" looking or something of that nature...

 

 

--

Mikko

[Paul Mihalka]

My be the bmwst.com ruling applies only to USA political people

 

Dang better not! I would get deeply hurt if someone here made remarks of the Finnish President Tarja Halonen, calling her little "homely" looking or something of that nature...

 

--

Mikko

I dunno... To me she looks like she could scare anybody into compliance with her will... and that's a good thing for any politician..

 

[lawnchairboy]

Socialism is grand.

[Matts_12GS]

If that's the policy that would permit me saying what I did about Chavez, then it's a fairly lame policy. And don't you have bigger world problems to solve?

 

 

[Bob Palin]

Socialism is grand.

There's no socialism going on in Venezuela - it's a dictatorship or well on its way there.

[leikam]

How could you ever discuss any megamoniacal despot with those restrictions?

 

Metaphors, similies, parables, analogies, haiku. Use your imagination. Or we could simply talk about motorcycles instead.

[Huzband]

He's the new Fidel.

 

I've been to Venezuela while he's in power, and my opinion is that he's a power-hungry, paranoid little man.

I thought posts that disparage specific political people we not permitted on BMWST.com?

 

(Not a statement of support of Chavez, just sayin' – a bit of a double-standard going on here it seems.)

 

If that's the policy that would permit me saying what I did about Chavez, then it's a fairly lame policy. And don't you have bigger world problems to solve?

 

Ken, don't tug on Superman's cape.

[lawnchairboy]

http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/1834

 

apparently, someone thinks that Hugo disagrees with your view of his little socialistic dictatorship. (that better?).

 

merry xmas bob.

 

although dated, it is interesting historically to read the link, it sure has seemed to swing more towards the extreme in recent history in that country.