Argentina gives Hugo Chavez press freedom award

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been given a press freedom award during a visit to Argentina.
The University of La Plata said it was honouring him for his efforts to break "media monopolies" in Latin America and support "popular communication".



The award has angered critics who accuse Mr Chavez of stifling opposition media in Venezuela.
Earlier Mr Chavez signed a series of commercial accords with his Argentine counterpart, Cristina Fernandez.
The university said it was giving Mr Chavez the Rodolfo Walsh award for "his commitment to defending the liberty of the people, consolidating Latin American unity, and defending human rights, truth and democratic values".


'Media dictatorship'

Mr Chavez welcomed the honour.


He told a crowd of students that Venezuela was promoting "a new dynamic of communication and information free from the media dictatorship of the bourgeoisie and the empire" - the term he uses to refer to the US.



Since becoming president in 1999 Mr Chavez has set up the Telesur network, which offers a state-funded alternative to private television stations across Latin America.



He has also funded a major expansion of state-funded media in Venezuela that support his left-wing politics.
And he has been involved in a long-running battle with private media companies in Venezuela, who he has accused of supporting efforts to overthrow him.


New regulations have forced the closure of many pro-opposition radio and cable television stations, although independent newspapers and websites still operate.
BBC News - Argentina gives Hugo Chavez press freedom award


 

EagleSmack

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Feb 16, 2005
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It should not come as any surprise coming out of Argentina. They reported sinking both Britsh Aircraft Carriers during the Falkland Islands War.
 

mentalfloss

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Jun 28, 2010
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Go Hugo! It's yer birfday!

This guy has had bullseye on his chest since the 80s. Conservative Americans would just love to plow a bullet right through it. The Brits love this guy though.

I never understood that hatred, personally, but the unnecessary drama is pretty hilarious.
 

mentalfloss

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Jun 28, 2010
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"I have always said, heard, that it would not be strange that there had been civilization on Mars, but maybe capitalism arrived there, imperialism arrived and finished off the planet," Chavez said in speech to mark World Water Day.

LOL

Oh this guy is too awesome.
 

EagleSmack

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Feb 16, 2005
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Go Hugo! It's yer birfday!

This guy has had bullseye on his chest since the 80s. Conservative Americans would just love to plow a bullet right through it. The Brits love this guy though.

I never understood that hatred, personally, but the unnecessary drama is pretty hilarious.

Noooo. We don't want him killed. We LOVE his antics. The love and adulation that US Liberals have for him makes it much more fun zinging them.

Long Live Chavez. He's harmless and funny too!
 

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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Noooo. We don't want him killed. We LOVE his antics. The love and adulation that US Liberals have for him makes it much more fun zinging them.

Long Live Chavez. He's harmless and funny too!
Kinda like one of these...



But without the charm.
 

EagleSmack

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Feb 16, 2005
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What?!? hahahahahaha

This is news to you MentalFloss?

Oh boy. After the earthquake in Haiti, Chavez said it was a US Earthquake Machine and we were testing it out. He then went on to explain that the US will use that Earthquake Machine to attack Iran and destroy the Iranian Govt. with a series of earthquakes.

Why on Earth would we want Chavez silenced!
 

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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Not that the US Constitution should concern Hugo. I was answering the charge that us Conservative Yanks want to put a bullet in the man.

No way. We'd miss him.
What would Chavez do with a constitution anyways?

It's not as if he understands freedoms.