Mexico City, Jan 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Venezuelan National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) has launched an investigation against three media outlets over their failure to join the obligatory simultaneous broadcast featuring the latest report on President Hugo Chavez's health.
"A decision has been made to initiate an inquest against La Tele television, which completely ignored the statement by the ministry of communication and information, and against Candela Pura and FM 96.9 radio stations, which broadcast it with a delay," said Conatel director Pedro Maldonado.
He said the outlets could face a fine of 3-4 percent of their annual income if found guilty of violating the law on telecommunications which stipulates mandatory broadcast of all official statements made by the government.
Chavez, 58, is reportedly facing a respiratory failure following a severe lung infection after he underwent his third operation for cancer Dec 11.
Chavez, who has ruled Venezuela for 13 years, also had four courses of chemotherapy in Cuba and Venezuela within a year.
Minister of Communication and Information Ernesto Villegas said the government was confident that the medical team "has closely monitored the patient's clinical course and has acted with utmost accuracy to address all the difficulties that have emerged".
Chavez is scheduled to be inaugurated for a new six-year presidential term Jan 10, but it could be postponed due to his health problems.
--IANS/RIA Novosti
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