By Ingrid Bachmann
The Venezuelan government issued a decree prohibiting the unauthorized use of the “name, image, or figure” of President Hugo Chávez for public works, political and social organizations, or ad campaigns, EFE and AFP report.
According to Clarín, critics say the measure serves to prevent opposition protests and anti-Chávez advertisements from using the president’s image or name.
Images of Chávez appear frequently on every type of building, The Telegraph explains, but the official decree says that the presidential image “must be used under regulations that allow its proper identification, as far as the honorable role of the President is concerned."
The decree also seeks to disconnect the president from corruption and inefficiency scandals at construction companies, El Universal adds.
Note from the editor: This story was originally published by the Knight Center’s blog Journalism in the Americas, the predecessor of LatAm Journalism Review.
