Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com). Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it exclusively produces is in the public domain. May 28, 2007 Venezuela Takes Over Private TV Station --------------------------------------- http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=17A2DBD:A6F02AD83191E16011E1C56C7D3DC4EF9574F7DCC14957C0 Tens of thousands protest in Caracas the order by President Chavez to close RCTV Venezuela's oldest private broadcaster has gone off the air, complying with an order by President Hugo Chavez that has drawn both condemnation and celebrations. Police used water cannons to disperse stone-throwing protesters in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, shortly before Radio Caracas Television ceased broadcasting at midnight (0400 UTC Monday). No serious injuries have been reported. Just minutes after the shutdown, Venezuelan Social Television, the station replacing RCTV, began broadcasting. Supporters of television station Radio Caracas Television, RCTV, protest in Caracas, 26 May 2007Thousands of demonstrators for and against RCTV gathered in the streets of Caracas in the hours before the shutdown. National guard units were deployed to keep the competing groups of demonstrators apart. Venezuela's government has refused to extend RCTV's license, despite an outpouring of criticism from international human rights groups and press freedom organizations. President Chavez says he decided to close the station because it supported a brief coup attempt against his government five years ago. Venezuelan officials also have accused RCTV of broadcasting "indecent" entertainment programs. Hugo ChavezRCTV's nationwide programming included some of Venezuela's most popular programs, but the president has denounced the private broadcaster as a threat to the nation and its children. Mr. Chavez says the station will be replaced by a public-service channel intended to help democratize the media and enhance freedom of speech. Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.