2007年VOA标准英语-Venezuela's Oldest Private Broadcaster Shuts Do

By Brian Wagner
28 May 2007

Venezuela's government has taken control of a private television station after a midnight deadline for the station to stop broadcasting. In Caracas, VOA's Brian Wagner reports that officials are using the station's frequency to broadcast a new public interest channel.

Venezuelan officials ordered Radio Caracas Television to relinquish¹ control over its broadcasting facilities throughout the country at midnight, ending the private station's 53-year history on the air. Executives for RCTV had said they were cooperating with authorities to transfer control to officials in charge of transmitting programs for the newly created Venezuelan Social Television station.

The new station will air content from independent producers and community groups, which officials say will better represent the nation's people.

Earlier, thousands of RCTV supporters gathered outside the National Telecommunications Commission to condemn² the government's refusal to renew the station's broadcasting license³. Police said 11 officers were injured by rocks and other objects thrown by protesters. Elsewhere in the capital, supporters of President Hugo Chavez gathered for street concerts to celebrate the transfer of control for the TV station.

At one pro-government event, Caracas Mayor Juan Barreto defended the decision against RCTV and warned protesters against committing violence.

Barreto said Venezuela has full freedom and respect for human rights. But he says authorities cannot allow the nation's institutions to be harmed, because of a sovereign decision by President Chavez.

Police and national guard troops were deployed⁴ across the city to guard against disruptions.

Hours before the midnight deadline, RCTV managing director Marcel Granier praised the work of some 3,000 employees at the nation's largest and most popular network. Granier also accused the government of seizing the company's broadcasting equipment without plans for restitution⁵.

Granier says the takeover changes the concept of private property and sets a very serious precedent⁶, which he says helps explain why investment levels are so low in the country.

The move against RCTV is the latest step in the socialist⁷ revolution of President Chavez to expand control over private industries. He recently took over the largest telephone company, and he has forced all foreign oil companies to give majority control over their operations to the government.

International human rights groups and press freedom organizations have condemned⁸ the decision against RCTV as a blow to free speech and democracy in Venezuela.

1 relinquish   

v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手

参考例句：

• He was forced to relinquish control of the company.他被迫放弃公司的掌控权。
• They will never voluntarily relinquish their independence.他们绝对不会自动放弃独立。

2 condemn   

vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑

参考例句：

• Some praise him,whereas others condemn him.有些人赞扬他，而有些人谴责他。
• We mustn't condemn him on mere suppositions.我们不可全凭臆测来指责他。

3 license   

n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许

参考例句：

• The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
• The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

4 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

5 restitution   

n.赔偿；恢复原状

参考例句：

• It's only fair that those who do the damage should make restitution.损坏东西的人应负责赔偿，这是再公平不过的了。
• The victims are demanding full restitution.受害人要求全额赔偿。

6 precedent   

n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的

参考例句：

• Is there a precedent for what you want me to do?你要我做的事有前例可援吗？
• This is a wonderful achievement without precedent in Chinese history.这是中国历史上亘古未有的奇绩。

7 socialist   

n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的

参考例句：

• China is a socialist country,and a developing country as well.中国是一个社会主义国家，也是一个发展中国家。
• His father was an ardent socialist.他父亲是一个热情的社会主义者。

8 condemned   

adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
• The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。