The News Dissector: How does U.S. TV cover Venezuela?

[mischeviousmojo13]

... government there is corrrupt to a point where even the poorest people can afford to bribe government officials. :) But that means its not just the rich pricks who can do what they want. At least if they have a job, the unemployment rate is very high there right now. I will probably be moving back there in a couple years. As long as you can stay off the government's craplist you can have a business and make enough money to enjoy life there. And everyone there is very friendly.

[danschaoticmind]

@mischeviousmojo13 I actually have some questions about the cost of living, ease of movement throughout the country, and the likes, I would like to hear your opinions and views more so if you don't mind please shoot me a message sometime. I find that I cannot trust even slightly the news coverage of Venezuela when all they do is call Chavez a dictator yet the bits and pieces I receive suggest otherwise (Including peoples rights to vote him out of office etc)

[mischeviousmojo13]

And And yes, gas costs next to nothing :) ... although Chavez has also done some bad things. At times he has nationalized good SMALL businesses and put many good people out of work. He could raise the minimum wage 5 or 10 times more most people only make $30 a week and that isn't enough to survive. He puts out as many lies in his propaganda as the american press does, although he is right about american govt. There is more freedom there than in the US, but that is because the ....

[mischeviousmojo13]

I lived in venezuela for a year. And I am a staunch socialist, but not a chavista. Chavez has done some great things, like free medicine and healthcare, which he got by trading oil to the cubans. Although not ALL medical care there is free. If you need brain surgery or something, you have to pay up front. If you don't pay, you die or suffer. But that isn't so much the government's fault I don't think. I just believe there aren't enough specialized socialist doctors in the country....

[viceralbass]

europa ellect presidents indefinitedly and have kings whoaaa why we cant maybe g8 think we are animals

[osofieroso]

media is dangerous

[franz909]

Chavez democratically elected TWICE and if he put up his presidency for Life up for a VOTE he's not a very good dictator

He also needs to stop providing free health care and medicine for the poor and he needs to stop providing a gallon of gas for 25 cents if he wants to reflect what the U.S. lap dog media says he is

U.S. has its eyes on Their oil just like Iraq Iran and Nigeria and now they flew into their airspace with a fighter plane " accidentally "

Their first U.S. coup against him failed

[inbrooklyn2008]

It's not a "presidency for life" in any sense.

What's up on the table is a proposal for a voting referendum, to see if the majority (which supports Chavez) happens to be in favor of getting rid of term limits, so Chavez can continue to run. He would still need to get reelected every time a term expires.

Many countries don't have term limits: for instance, Britain's Margaret Thatcher was in office from 1979 to 1990.

And even Bush's cabinet recognized Venezuela's elections as legitimate.

[elobservadorenliinea]

lol..dictator,president for life,is not that bad, even he is ambitious...

[Vipunkx]

is this show only for the internet??

[PopFanGal]

Chavez has attacked and criticized everything Venezuelans and Americans hold dear: democracy, free speech, private property, human dignity...Chavez is nothing without Venezuela's precious oil...just watch when the oil prices go down...This filmaker person is nothing but a TOOL!

[Ticonio]

U.S.= democracy? ja,ja,ja, yeah right!! free speech? ask Michael Moore! private property? ja,ja, especially if it doesn't interfere with "AMERICAN SECURITY"!! human dignity? you mean that from the people who lost their job due to "manage profitability" concept in thousands of companies or the people from New Orleans???

[brainonnow]

Voter fraud now being discovered in NH - did you hear about that on nightly news? LHS programmer for Diebold criminal record for cocaine. blackbox com Could that have also affected Obama Clinton race where Obama was double digits ahead of Hill? Hmmmmm.

Please donate ronpaul2008 com for "we the people"

[buzzkyd]

Imagine if all of the presidents in america think and act like Chavez, latin america will be unstopable and not under US control as we are now.

[klonedklein]

biometric voting... thats messed up for sure... what an easy way to rid the competition before the next vote. Paper ballots only please.... Don't fingerprint me, man.

Think about it... fresh fingerprints on file for every voter... how nice for the rulers.

[KobyBrandt]

True klonedklein, fingerprints for all! What a great idea -- NOT! That's reeeeally fucked up.

Btw, if I elect to not "voluntarily" comply and actually give them my fingerprints will I be one of the lucky ones screaming "don't tase me bro!"?

[DVincentW]

If the people were to decide on s1955, it wouldnt get passed.

Dispite the attacks that sentence provkes.

If you dont know what s1955 is, get the hell out of this country.

[zerhunmanon]

"He and the parlament"...if that is called democracy then why did he did a Referendum in the first place? Shouldn't a democrat respect the outcome of a Popular Election of a Democratic process and leave it at that?...

[beatbaker]

Man...This is scary because I saw many news story on TV BUT I read the real story on the internet and I would yell at the TV every time American TV would tel this story. It was WAY OFF BASE! I don't agree with Chavez But I just want the fucking truth. It was really an enlightening moment.

[COAnews]

yup it's really amazing to see how off base they can be. Independent media is where it's at.

[QuicoReed]

Smoke another bowl, bro, you're living in a fantasy world.

[beatbaker]

Sure asshole.

[oldhacks]

American television news media has one purpose and one purpose only. Product placement. be it weapons or amphetamines for kids or new gas guzzling over priced automobiles.

[klonedklein]

much more than that.. we pawn wars and the USA, Inc., is a killing machine for now, for sure. But, make no mistake, the people don't want it, but the masters, like rockefeller, rothschilds, morgans, bushys, all love it.

[TAMARLANE]

The American media has got it right about Chavez. He is a dictator wanna be. A Castro wanna be. Not good for the Venezuelan people, many of whom, the educated ones, have left the country. How could anyone possibly apologize for Chavez and expect anyone to believe their position?

[poyani]

It is funny how right-wingers can always be reduced to climing intent (which of course they can never prove) as the basis of their POVs. "Saddam intended to build WMDs", "Iran intends to build nukes", "Chaves intends to be a dictator". They then reiterate their assertions as if it is actual fact.

Chavez WAS ELECTED. END OF STORY!!!

[TAMARLANE]

With one minor correction.

It is the end of Venezuela.

[TAMARLANE]

I checked you out a little.

Canada huh?

Liar huh?

Black? I don't think so.

alaikum salaam

[COAnews]

he he, this is so stupid - only really rich people left the country and don't like him. He has huge popular support. Conservative rich people really hate real democracy. You should be ashamed of yourself - so selfish

[historywillabsolve]

"The American media has got it right about Chavez."

yea, because the american media has been right about so many things lately [/sarcasm]

[beatbaker]

So he created the largest MIDDLE CLASS in Venezuela history, gave power to the people rather than the ultra elite and He is a dictator? While Bush has decimated the middle class, Given more power to the ultra elite and you continue to believe in American Media? WTF?

[TAMARLANE]

Venezuela is now held captive by a Totalitarian thug, using armed thugs to intimidate and to stay in "Power".

How many times have we seen this story, all around the world?

Venezuela is sunk.

[COAnews]

why are all the corporatists on this site so simplistic, all they do is call Chavez names - and none of it makes sense. Talk to average people there and they like him, look at the pools, go there and see how he helps average people. I get the sense some of these negative people are Venezuelan elites - sorry you don't rule, the people do

[TAMARLANE]

I would think you will have a very difficult time in convincing Americans that Hugo Chavez is a good guy. Everything we see/hear about Chavez is negative.

[QuicoReed]

You are full of the same "MIERDA" that comes out of Chavez's mouth. Chavez has NOT created any such middle class, he has in fact attacked the middle class. What a mindless moron.

[beatbaker]

La Mierda is in your brain. He has attacked the elite... not the middle class. So why is he so popular among the poor and middle class? Why has he continued to win FAIR AND MONITORED ELECTIONS?

[Eudoxio80]

We live in a world controlled by dark forces. These forces have made us materialistic to prevent us from evolving spiritually. One of the reason they don't want us to evolve spiritually is they use us as slaves or food in the after life. We now are decreasing spiritually rather than increasing. Religion takes away our ability to question authority. Don't let the evil force prevent you from reaching your full potential as a spiritual being. Knowledge is power.

[7thStreetSaints]

difference, Putin hates democracy just as much as Stalin did. On the other hand, by all indications, Chavez loves democracy and we really ought to be embarrassed that so many Latin American countries have more vibrant democracies than we do; and this despite all our interventions to oppose them

[zerhunmanon]

Ja ja Ok a you a right.. more noble Presidential "Shit"...So the victory of the oppsition from your perspective is not the result of an election if the victory is Shit what does that say of the electoral process...and being that the majority decided that the best would be not to reform the constitution.. you think it is not a threat that he still says he will try to do reform it?..democratic or dictatorial/authoritarian?..

[historywillabsolve]

the election is over, chavez already accepted his defeat with grace, get over it. the "shit" remark was in regards to the opposition celebrating like they were back in power. chavez still has 5 years and the people can still initiate their own constitutional proposals. it is not over by a long shot. most of those reforms will be passed once they are better explained to the millions of venezolanos who chose not to vote.

[COAnews]

ummm... he and the parliament are elected and they will pass laws - that's called democracy, even if you don't like them.

[TAMARLANE]

You are trying to be rational to people with no shame, no soul. These are socialist/communists and will do/say anything to have their way.

They simply aren't powerful enough yet, militarily, to overtake all the people of Venezuela.

[COAnews]

they don't need to overtake anyone because most people support Chavez - they want him in power.

You are stupid. Chavez is a true democrat and you can't take it.

[QuicoReed]

Really? You base this upon what, exactly?

[RonPaul4Us]

Support gay rights Vote Ron Paul

[zerhunmanon]

I agree corporate media gives us a partiallly true scope based on their interets...but it is no different than leftist government media..partially true scopes based on their interets..Who is better? Money or Power? hmm sounds the same to me.

[COAnews]

You can have public service independent media that is best - see community media, see the Norwegian media system or German. We can also have completely independent media like TheREALnews which does not accept government money, but is non-profit. Corporate media is worst - indy is best

[HabsRule92Remy92]

And this is why I still like ya!

[zerhunmanon]

It is good that Mr. Glover does a movie on Haiti an important issue. But what you so call a Random Indie movie in Venezuela represents jobs to many Venezuelan Families. Why doesn't Mr Glover use his money from Lethal weapon 6 to finance his "Philantropic" project instead of taking it from Venezuelan families?

[COAnews]

actually he uses his time and money for lots of important stuff

[zerhunmanon]

Dear Nickprogress how can you determine a rich person by a single comment? soud your are Biased.

Dear PersonalJesus.The problem is not that a dictator (is elected as Chavez was)the problem is his perpetuation in power and how they abuse this power that hurts us Venezuelans, Families apart that never where, political Prisoners (In San Cristobal) and much more.

[COAnews]

most still like him, so he can't be abusing too much. The fact that he accepted this close vote demonstrates he is a democratic leader.

[HabsRule92Remy92]

When is dissent stifled in democracy? Of course he accepted the vote, he'd face harsh consequences if he hadn't. I'm surprised, I thought the good people at COA understand that dissent is a great thing. I still like ya bastards though.

[COAnews]

of course I understand dissent is a good thing - it is good that Chavez is somewhat open to it. That's the point there is much dissent in Venezuela, it is a functioning democracy unlike many other nations. From those that have been there I've heard there is much dissent allowed there then there is in North America. Corporate media in Venezuela are constantly attacking Chavez.

[stephena2]

nice

[PersonalJesus348]

People need to understand that we've been looking at the world with American eyes for too long.

Those are venezulan issues. And he is no way a dictator. He is elected. As much as I want to say Pres. Bush Jr. is a dictator he was elected too. As fraudgulent as it was.

[zerhunmanon]

It reminds me of Danny Glover coming her lobbying for a while getting 13 million $ fromm us for his movies when an average Venezuelan indie movie has a budget of about 500 Thousand.

I am sure that right oriented media does what you say. but it's not different from what you are doing at all for your own purposes

[nickprogresss]

he's making an important film about Haiti, not some random indie film - well worth the investment

[zerhunmanon]

). It seems naive to me at best, when people that have not lived here say that Chavez is not a Dictator, does not wish to stay in power, when he has already Supreme Court Chavista, the General Attorney, the military etc.. Has stayed in power for more than 9 years through different mechanisms and wanted to reform the constitution for an article on no limit re-election.

[nickprogresss]

he has and would have to continue to be elected - that's what most I know who live there tell me too. You are a rich biased person.

[zerhunmanon]

). It seems naive to me at best, when people that have not lived here say that Chavez is not a Dictator, does not wish to stay in power, when he has already Supreme Court Chavista, the General Attorney, the military etc.. Has stayed in power for more than 9 years through different mechanisms and wanted to reform the constitution for an article on no limit re-election.

[zerhunmanon]

Oh Danny, DannyYou criticize the right oriented coverage of Chavez as without context, to me it is similar to how you pretend to provide left oriented superficial view of the situation. Given.,Chavez recognized the results with all international media behind him.. Two days after said he didn't care, about the outcome and threatened to implement "HIS" reform by other means, said the elections were "Shit"(check Venezuelan news).

[zerhunmanon]

Oh Danny, DannyYou criticize the right oriented coverage of Chavez as without context, to me it is similar to how you pretend to provide left oriented superficial view of the situation. Given.,Chavez recognized the results with all international media behind him.. Two days after said he didn't care, about the outcome and threatened to implement "HIS" reform by other means, said the elections were "Shit"(check Venezuelan news).

[nickprogresss]

Danny's view is more balanced then the news we are getting. Venezuelan corporate news is the same - corporate media is the problem where-ever it is.

[historywillabsolve]

he didn't say the elections were "shit", he said the opposition's victory was "shit" because they gained nothing and lost a whole lot more (like the ridiculous claim that chavez is a dictator)

see you are already engaging in spin, especially in the way you frame statements by your president (ie, he "threatened" to implement his reforms)

[salgreco]

Way to go RealNews, and Danny Schechter. Your comments about some of the US news coverage of Venezuela and Chavez are perfect.

The fact that they portray Chavez as a Dictator, is saying more about American society and "spin" than Venezuela and Chavez.

[xxxpliskinxxx]

CHAVEZ HAS TO GO AWAY, he's breaking my country apart and that hurts me the most

[nickprogresss]

it's not your country, it's the country of the Venezuelan people - not just rich people like you

[xxxpliskinxxx]

I'm venezuelan, don't be ridiculus, besides, I'm not rich, you Mr. know-it-all, I am a hard working man, what's wrong with ya? Do you even know what you're talking about?

[Gilliatt83]

great

[scumbauggio]

More textured, nuanced and contextualized coverage from the MSM? Never happen.

[nickprogresss]

Amazing that he is in fact democratic

[TheRealNews]

if you'd like to see some of our coverage check out the "Related Videos"

[COAnews]

this is key