2009:The TV Station Globovision was Investigated for Reporting on an Earthquake

A moderate earthquake occurred near Caracas early in the morning on May 4, 2009.Shortly after the first tremors were felt, Alberto Federico Ravell, Director of Globovision, personally delivered a message to the Station’s viewers. He announced that government information about the earthquake was unavailable and that the only available news on the quake was from the U.S. Geological Survey [1]. What Ravell omitted from his report was that Venezuela’s National Seismological Institute, known as Funvisis, was closely monitoring the geological movements. Numerous attempts had been made by government officials to distribute information to the Station [1]. The USGS verified that the data it received on the morning of May 4 originated from geological stations in Venezuela monitored by Funvisis[1].

Globovision’s coverage of the earthquake incensed government supporters. On May 6, the National Assembly demanded that Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) penalize Globovision for infractions of the Law on Social Responsibility in Radio and Television. National Assembly President Cilia Flores said Ravell used the news of the earthquake to “take advantage of nervousness and generate terror in the population.” She added that Ravell had promoted an” unwarranted mistrust in government services” [1].

Conatel began its investigation which generated international criticism framing the story as an issue of whether Venezuela enjoys “free speech.” Human Rights Watch issued a statement on May 21 that CONATEL should call off its “unwarranted” investigation and “stop harassing a private TV station that has been critical of the government.” [2] “The Chavez government is once again abusing its broad regulatory powers to harass its critics,” said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas Director at Human Rights Watch. “There is simply no justification for sanctioning a TV station for reporting on an earthquake,” he said [2].

The Washington Post cited the investigation into the reporting on the earthquake as an example of how Chavez “Ruthlessly Consolidates His Power.” [3]

The CONATEL investigation on the earthquake did not result in any fines or actions against Globovision.


1.   Venezuelanalysis  Venezuela’s Media Quake, June 11, 2009 

2.     HRW, Venezuela: Stop Harassing TV Station, May 21, 2009

3.     Washington Post, Hugo Chavez Ruthlessly Consolidates His Power, July 26, 2012

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