correction to the 2nd last post I made above it should have been:-

<Also within countries like Venezuela as was described in this article by James Dryburgh.....>

Okay folks, here's a report via BBC World. It claims that moves are under way in Venezuela for a new media law under which anyone - newspaper editor, reporter or artist - could be sentenced to between six months and four years in prison for information which attacks "the peace, security and independence of the nation and the institutions of the state". For full report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8177862.stm

Now, is it only the "gringos" and their agents who would oppose this? You can be sure there will be huge demonstrations in the streets against it.

Wouldn't good leftists oppose it because we are the most reliable defenders of democratic freedoms?

But, no, of course(!), how can this report be believed - it comes from - (gasp) - the BBC. Clearly propaganda with no credibility - unlike, say, Green Left Weekly.

So, here's my question to any of those contributors who are so keen to defend Chavez's right-wing populism, including the author of the original article: is the report above basically accurate? Is such a law being mooted by those in authority in Venezuela?

If it is basically accurate, then do you support or oppose such a law?

Personally, as a leftist, I oppose it and would march with those Venezuelans who also oppose it.