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President Hugo Chavez has found a new way to push his revolutionary propaganda. If you've ever caught a glimpse of his program "Alo President", you know that not even the most fervent Chavista could remain awake through his colorful, yet repetitive speech.
The state television station, Channel 8 has found a way to use popular programming, while adding not-too-subtle words of encouragement.
For those unable to purchase cable or satellite TV, the state channel has begun showing NBA playoff games. Mixed with commentary regarding the play of NBA stars Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett, announcers add propaganda and pro-government opinions.
Timeouts during the games are used to castigate the opposition for its "coup-plotting" and to praise Chavez's policies to help the poor.
"It's a free throw for Karl Malone," a narrator barked during a recent Los Angeles Lakers game. "The Venezuelan revolution (also) makes you free."
"We have a player change for Shaquille O'Neal. And we have a change for the better with the new PDVSA," the announcer said, referring to the state oil company where 18,000 workers were fired for staging a strike against Chavez.
When you're facing a recall referendum, one has to try anything.
Don't know whether to laugh, or cry. Yikes.
Posted by Miguel Centellas | May 27, 2004 04:08 PMHey, if you have all the commercial media repeatedly attacking you and peppering their insults with lies while frothing at the mouth, what would you do? You would probably take all the help you could get.
Now that Chávez is finally facing a recall, I certainly doubt that he could lose "transparent and clear" elections. If it took the opposition so long to collect 2.5 million legitimate signatures, how on earth are they going to get the 3.8 million votes necessary to get him out of office?
Posted by José del Solar | June 8, 2004 07:47 AMhttps://livinginlatinamerica.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/248
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