Correa: Ecuador to take over radio, TV stations

[Bacchus39]

Correa: Ecuador to take over radio, TV stations

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090804/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_ecuador_broadcasters

QUITO, Ecuador – Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa says "many" radio and TV frequencies will revert to state control due to what he's calling irregularities.

The president has been at war with Ecuador's news media since taking office in January 2007. He has called TV stations and newspapers corrupt and mediocre, and twice fined an opposition broadcaster.

Correa did not specify Monday what sort of abuses or irregularities broadcasters have committed. Nor did he name any alleged offenders.

The announcement coincides with regulators revoking or refusing the renew the licenses of 34 radio stations in Venezuela.

Correa and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are staunch regional allies and share a similar left-leaning political ideology.

[Downwinder]

1. Lets do away with all these Government regulations on

radio/TV frequencies.

Then I can put a 10,000 watt linear amplifier on my wireless and never lose signal. I might even be able to power florescent yard lighting.

[Bacchus39]

2. or we can just kick them off the air if we don't like them n/t

s

[Downwinder]

3. If I put a linear up that would kick them off the air.

You put a linear on a CB you can open ever garage door in town.

[Bacchus39]

4. do you have a point? n/t

s

[Downwinder]

5. There has to be regulation of the radio/TV frequencies.

Otherwise you get chaos.

[Bacchus39]

6. ok, and what about shutting them down? n/t

s

[Downwinder]

7. The FCC shuts down a number of transmitters every year.

And confiscates the equipment.

[Bacchus39]

8. is that what they are doing in Ecuador?

s

[Downwinder]

9. Your article does not say.

[subsuelo]

10. Awesome!

[rabs]

11. The AP headline is grossly misleading

and just one more reason NOT to trust the AP in its reporting from Latin America.

Went over to check a Spanish version of the story. (All uppercase words mine)

AP headline: Correa: Ecuador to take over radio, TV stations (implying ALL radio and TV station)

AFP headline Government says it will retract licenses of VARIOUS radio and TV stations


AP version -- QUITO, Ecuador – Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa says "MANY" radio and TV frequencies will revert to state control due to what he's calling irregularities.

Quito, AFP version

The Ecuadoran government will withdraw the license "of SOME" radio and TV (stations) that obtained (the peremits in an irregular manner (and Correa) expects that "SOME sacred cows will fall."

A report will be ready in eight days listing "grave irregularities" liable to sanctions.

AFP story, from El Comercio of Quito, a long-time reactionary newspaper. (Spanish)

http://www.elcomercio.com/noticiaEC.asp?id_noticia=295151&id_seccion=3