We learned also today of a novel way to screw journalists that displease the regime. According to CONATEL, the media regulating organization fully Chavez controlled, any program, and its directors, that go on air must be registered as "independent producers", from Castillo to that infamous character at La Hojilla on state TV.

Well, Leopoldo Castillo, the chair of the most watched talk show of Venezuela, Alo Ciudadano, has been away for a few weeks, supposedly on vacation, a vacation that was certainly extended due to Globovision internal problems. He returned today and gave us this pearl: the CONATEL is neither renewing or refusing his license because there is a "proceeding" against his show. Of course this is an indirect way to force his show closing as Globovision normally should only carry duly registered producers and Castillo should be off the air.

The strategy of the regime here is very simple: denial of justice, no trial. This is how, in the soon three years since RCTV was closed and its transmission equipment were taken over, the government has not had to indemnify RCTV because the high court of Venezuela is not making any ruling. Amen of the appeals of RCTV that by law should have been answered within days and which are gathering dust in some shelf of the TSJ since at least May 2007. This is how Leopoldo Castillo might be forced off the air simply because CONATEL is not making any decision and Globovision cannot wait any longer unless risking further unjust fines. As a reminder it is exactly the principle used to bar people from running for office simply due to an administrative malpractice, WITHOUT a trial and a sentence needed.

At any rate something good came of it: it seems that Granier and Globovision are pushing the dare towards Diosdado: Granier of RCTV was the featured guest at the return show of Castillo and his words were very strong, too strong for someone who is a living target of chavismo and too strong for a host whose show is hanging by a thread. Apparently the departure of Ravell from Globovision will not moderate much the network.