I just got this note in from Alex Beech:

Censorship in Venezuela official Begins; Live Broadcasts are Forbidden

On Tuesday afternoon, a National Guard major notified the country’s private television networks in Venezuela that requests for live broadcasts would have to be submitted to the National Guard twenty four hours prior to transmission.

According to Globovision News Channel Director Federico Ravell, National Guard Major Rafael Medina prevented private networks from performing technical alignments necessary for live transmission. Ravell said that the communications regulatory agency (CONATEL) denied any knowledge of the measure.

Globovision, which broadcasts opposition campaigning events, will be prevented from airing material without prior notification. The measure violates article 58 of the Bolivarian Constitution of Venezuela concerning freedom of the press.

Alex Beech

UPDATE: Miguel Octavio, writing for VCrisis notes that Chavez has got to be afraid of Rosales’ growing appeal. The huge photos of gigantic marches are scaring the daylights out of him. It makes sense. Read the whole thing here.

UPDATE: This editorial from IBD also cites Chavez’s fear as Rosales’ appeal grows. Read it here.