Saturday, September 05, 2009

Chavez minister vows more Venezuela radio stations to close

* Radio stations to be pulled after 34 closed in August
* Critics say hits free speech, government says democratic

* Anti-Chavez TV network in the spotlight over coup rumor

CARACAS, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Venezuela will pull the plug on 29 more radio stations, a top official in President Hugo Chavez's government said on Saturday, just weeks after dozens of other outlets were closed in a media clampdown.

Infrastructure Minister Diosdado Cabello closed 34 radio stations in July, saying the government was "democratizing" media ownership. Critics say the move limits freedom of expression and has taken critical voices off the airwaves.

Continued story from Reuters at: http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN0520744720090905