Venezuela President claims ‘Media Terrorism’

Venezuela’s media will meet to try to ease tensions and foster a peaceful climate for a 15 August referendum on the rule of President Hugo Chavez.

The twice elected, left wing leader claims private radio and TV broadcasters and newspapers are waging “media terrorism” against him, as part of an opposition bid to oust him.

They say Chavez is dictator like, wanting to limit media freedoms and persecuting them with a campaign of fines and police raids.

The media forum follows a meeting in Caracas between Chavez and media boss, Gustavo Cisneros, whose Venevision TV station is critical of the government.

This meeting was brought about by former US President, Jimmy Carter, who also attended.