The Venezuelan government decision not to renew a broadcast license for private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) endangers freedom of expression and is the result of political reasons, said Tuesday Human Rights Watch (HRW), Efe quoted.
 
President Hugo "Chávez is using improperly the state regulating authority to punish a media outlet due to criticism of the government," said in a press release José Miguel Vivanco, executive director of the HWR Americas Division.

The human rights advocacy group recalled in a communiqué released Tuesday that President Chávez threatened to make null and void the license for RCTV when he accused it of supporting a coup attempt in April 2002.

"The closure of RCTV is a tough blow to freedom of expression in Venezuela," he added.

According to the organization, RCTV is the only one out of the three private TV networks featured by being critic of the government.