The Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Stations (Abert), which comprises more than 3,000 radio and TV stations in the country, "regrets and condemns Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez' decision not to renew the broadcast license for 53-year-old private television network RCTV which expires next May 27."

In a communiqué, Abert said "freedom of expression and respect for the democratic rule of law are the fundamentals of democratic nations."

They added that the Venezuelan government decision "not to renew the broadcast license for RCTV harms a right provided for under the Venezuelan legislation, as the TV station complies with all the pertinent legal and technical requirements to continue operations."