Hugo Chavez controversial rule over Venezuela has obviously provoked much critical thought as to whether he is running a dictatorship or democratic regime. After reading a recent article in the NZ Herald, the use of fear and intimidation are traits of the Chavez run regime. Laureano Marquez a Venezuelan cartoonist explains in an interview the strangle hold Chavez has on the media in regards to the broadcast of opposition voices, Marquez has become fearful of criminal or behavioural proceedings that could lead to jail or bankruptcy as the government may consider certain humour or satire an outright terrorist act. Keeping trend with silencing the media this article outlines Chavez Government shut down 32 radio stations citing regulatory infractions with another 200 plus in its sights. Also the plug was pulled on a cable television station after their refusal to broadcast Chavez speeches.
With Chavez popularity slipping from 62% in October 2009 down to 60% in January this year we can only wonder whether this stranglehold and fear tactics are beginning to take effect and cost Chavez regime popularity?
AndyD, a change of 2% points in popularity is not really statistically significant - such small changes are usually within the margin of error in a poll. (And 60% is pretty respectable).
ReplyDeleteThat said, I've seen polls that put Chavez' popularity much lower than that (more in the low 30s).