2004: Globovision’s Racist Commentary Was Condemned by African Diplomats

President Hugo Chavez hosted the 12th G-15 Summit in Caracas on February 27-28, 2004.The Summit was attended by leaders, representatives and policymakers from eighteen non-aligned nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Eight Heads of State attended including Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe.

On February 28,2004 the television station Globovision broadcast the Talk Show Alo Ciudadano, hosted by the political commentator, Leopoldo Castillo. The Show included a video clip of President Mugabe closing his eyes during one of the speeches. The clip featured humorous music and snoring noises in the background while Castillo mentioned that it reminded him of the movie “The Planet of the Apes.” [1]. One of the Show’s guests Humberto Calderon Berti, added that it reminded him “of a little dog falling off a taxicab.” The other show host, Marisabel Parraga, also laughed at Mugabe.

A group of African Diplomats saw the Show and sent a letter to the General Manager of Globovision, Alberto Federico Ravell, expressing deep rejection and astonishment for what they considered to be offensive remarks “against the African people and human dignity.” [1] The Letter included the statement:” Your network’s television viewers have been presented with a very grotesque and indecent spectacle full of racist content.” The Letter was signed by diplomats from Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Saharawi, South Africa and Nigeria [1].

 

 

1.     Venezuelanalysis,   Racist Comments in Venezuelan TV’ an Offense to the African People’, African Ambassadors Say, , March 14, 2004

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