Private channel rescinded programs that vented community complaints

On August 14, 2013, private news channel Globovisión rescinded programs Del dicho al hecho and Radar de los Barrios, both of which were hosted by journalist Jesús “Chúo Torrealba”. The channel alleged that closing down these shows was due to changes in their new editorial line, as part of the changes made by the new management of the TV station.

In a conversation with IPYS Venezuela, Jesús Torrealba explained that the decision of ending the transmission of his TV programs was notified to him by Juan Domingo Cordero during a meeting held at the channel. He described the measure as being stated in good terms and that he accepted this decision. Both shows would air until August 16. According to the TV host´s version, the reason the channel gave to take the show off the air was a change in the editorial line, which apparently does not coincide with these two audiovisual productions.

Del dicho al hecho was an information show which aired from 5:30 to 6:00 a.m. and was dedicated to reviewing the most salient information in the national press. In this show, Torrealba disseminated a daily editorial on issues which made the news in the nation.

El Radar de los Barrios was a program which aired from Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., dedicated to attending to community complaints and was unique and the only show with this concept in Venezuela.  It was produced with the support of the Asociación Civil Radar de los Barrios, also led by the journalist. This space used to air complaints and demands by citizens living in the poorer sectors of Venezuela, and had collaborators in 12 of the nation´s states. The program included interviews to citizens expressing difficulties in basic services, security, healthcare, education, local management and other public management issues.

The two programs were classified as Independent National Production (PNI), as per the Law on Social Responsibility in Radio and TV, so Torrealba´s relationship with the media was solely related to the transmission of these spaces.

Both programs shall continue to air in radiophonic format through Radio Caracas Radio 750 AM, a radio space which is ongoing since a few years now.

The withdrawal of these programs is coupled to the ousting of other information and opinion shows as well as the firing of several journalists from Globovisión, after it was sold to new shareholders in March 2013 (http://ipys.org.ve/search.aspx?search=globovisi%C3%B3n%2B2013+).

In this context, it is worrying that change of editorial line arguments are being used to close down spaces for denunciation and critique which could affect the plurality of voices that is so necessary for an all-inclusive society.