Changes

Venezuela is presently under the repressive dictatorship of [[Hugo Chavez]] who has shown a marked intolerance for fundamental [[human rights]] <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276356,00.html Venezuelan Opposition Leader Demands Hugo Chavez Free Jailed Protesters], ''Associated Press'', May 30, 2007.</ref> and has funded insurgent activity outside of Venezuela's borders.  Chavez has much control of oil revenues from Venezuela's state owned, state run oil monopoly.  While Chavez in public criticizes [[capitalism]], he has sought to manipulate oil prices above $60 per barrel for Venezuela's largest customer, the [[United States]].

Venezuela is presently under the repressive dictatorship of [[Hugo Chavez]] who has shown a marked intolerance for fundamental [[human rights]] <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276356,00.html Venezuelan Opposition Leader Demands Hugo Chavez Free Jailed Protesters], ''Associated Press'', May 30, 2007.</ref> and has funded insurgent activity outside of Venezuela's borders.  Chavez has much control of oil revenues from Venezuela's state owned, state run oil monopoly.  While Chavez in public criticizes [[capitalism]], he has sought to manipulate oil prices above $60 per barrel for Venezuela's largest customer, the [[United States]].

The U.S. State Department's Report on Global [[Anti-Semitism]] also recently cited Venezuela for statements by "senior government officials supporting Iraq's [[Saddam Hussein]] and Islamic [[extremist]] movements" which "raised tensions and intimidated the country's Jewish community. There were several reports of anti-Semitic graffiti at synagogues in Caracas and two reported threatening phone calls made to Jewish community centers. In August, President Chavez cautioned citizens against following the lead of Jewish citizens in the effort to overturn his referendum victory. Anti-Semitic leaflets also were available to the public in an Interior and Justice Ministry office waiting room." <ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/40258.htm Report on Global Anti-Semitism] U. S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, January 5, 2005. </ref>   

The U.S. State Department's Report on Global [[Anti-Semitism]] also recently cited Venezuela for statements by "senior government officials supporting Iraq's [[Saddam Hussein]] and Islamic [[extremist]] movements" which "raised tensions and intimidated the country's Jewish community. There were several reports of anti-Semitic graffiti at [[synagogues]] in Caracas and two reported threatening phone calls made to Jewish community centers. In August, President Chavez cautioned citizens against following the lead of Jewish citizens in the effort to overturn his referendum victory. Anti-Semitic leaflets also were available to the public in an Interior and Justice Ministry office waiting room." <ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/40258.htm Report on Global Anti-Semitism] U. S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, January 5, 2005. </ref>   

[[Image:chavez.jpg|140px|left|thumb|Hugo Chavez]]

[[Image:chavez.jpg|140px|left|thumb|Hugo Chavez]]

In 2004 the Venezuelan National Assembly passed the Law of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television. This law establishes ambiguous guidelines regulating broadcasting content. It further requires the stations to transmit the government’s educational, informative, or public safety broadcasts for up to 60 minutes a week. Finally, the law requires stations to transmit in full Chavez’s speeches and other political messages, some of which last up to five hours. <ref>[http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/jul/07/guest_commentary_we_must_help_venezuela_because_fr/ Because Freedom Matters], By U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV and Blanquita Cullm, ''Naples Daily News'', July 7, 2007.</ref>

In 2004 the Venezuelan National Assembly passed the Law of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television. This law establishes ambiguous guidelines regulating broadcasting content. It further requires the stations to transmit the government’s educational, informative, or public safety broadcasts for up to 60 minutes a week. Finally, the law requires stations to transmit in full Chavez’s speeches and other political messages, some of which last up to five hours. <ref>[http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/jul/07/guest_commentary_we_must_help_venezuela_because_fr/ Because Freedom Matters], By U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV and Blanquita Cullm, ''Naples Daily News'', July 7, 2007.</ref>