The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) requested on Wednesday in Lima the return of a free signal for Caracas-based TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV), which went off the air one year ago when the government of President Hugo Chávez did not renew an operation license.

The AIB board, which held on Wednesday in Lima its annual meeting, issued a statement where it ratified its "determined condemnation and rejection" to the Venezuelan government decision over the TV network.

The move "was an act of reprisal and persecution against an independent media outlet, which until the very last minute of broadcasting kept its informational and editorial line above pressure and harassment," Efe quoted.

The IAB requested also the return to RCTV of the broadcasting equipment and facilities that were "illegally" seized by the government.