Private TV network Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) tycoon Marcel Granier launched a campaign this week in Strasbourg and Brussels for international support in view of a decision made by the Venezuelan government not to renew a broadcasting license for open-signal operations.

As reported by AFP, from Monday to Wednesday, Granier held multiple meetings with members of the European Parliament and delegates of the European Commission and human rights organization Reporters Without Borders (RWB).

"President Hugo Chávez' threat to close the channel is a blunt violation of Article 13, Inter-American Human Rights Treaty, which prohibits discrimination, or reward and punishment on journalists and broadcasters due to their editorial stance," Granier claimed.

President Chávez announced last December that his government would not renew a broadcasting license for RCTV that will expire next May 27th.