In a conference called "Current Domestic Political Affairs," the Venezuelan Government briefed foreign ambassadors and representatives of international bodies on the fundamentals behind President Hugo Chávez' decision not to renew a broadcast license to private television station RCTV.

Speakers were Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolás Maduro and Minister of Telecommunications and IT Jesse Chacón Escamillo.

Chacón explained the audience the legal grounds supporting the Venezuelan Government's move, and stressed that automatic renewal of licenses is banned under the Venezuelan Constitution.

He added that the Venezuelan State, as the sole manager of radio frequencies -"an asset of public domain"- has the capacity to renew broadcast licenses or not.

Chacón made reference to cases of media suspension or broadcast license cancellation in countries such as Peru, Uruguay, El Salvador and Canada, among others.

Meanwhile, Maduro claimed that "next May 28th (the day following expiration of RCTV license) begins a new stage -a fair, legal and constitutional process. Attempts have been made at turning this issue into the core of an international smear campaign, but we are advocating fair ideas for all Venezuelans."