Blanket Presidential Broadcasts, “cadenas,” in a restrictive framework on Freedom of Information

• In Event: Freedom of expression, media development, and contemporary Venezuelan politics

Abstract

The obligation of broadcasting presidential speeches or Blanket Presidential Broadcasts, known as “cadenas” in Spanish, on the entire radio and television system in Venezuela, is another way of censorship. Only one voice, the President’s voice, is broadcasted. The Blanket Presidential Broadcast, “Cadenas”, not only restrict radio and television’s audiences their freedom to choose, due to the single message; but in Venezuela, in many cases, these
presidential messages also implies the interruption of what people are watching or listening because the “Cadenas” are not previously programmed or officially announced.
After political changes in Argentina and Ecuador that implied a review and realignment of the Blanket Presidential Broadcasts usage in those countries, Venezuela is the only country in the hemisphere in which a President uses his power in an arbitrary way to break the media radio space. Even if Presidential broadcasting were imposed massively during Hugo Chavez Administration, with an important shift on Venezuelan governmental policies before 1999, the abuse of “cadenas” has been an extended practice during the mandate of Maduro’s administration.
In the case of Venezuela, the “cadenas” should be analysed as part of a long reaching official strategy, baptized as “communicational hegemony” a decade ago. Recent official actions include: restricting access to newsprint; nonrenewal of license of broadcasting with news and opinion programs; selective censorship against specific television contents; taking international news channel from the air; and impunity in cases of aggressions against journalists; among others.

Author

• Andres A Cañizalez, Universidad Católica Andres Bello