"In the past 20 years, at least 285 radio stations have been closed in Venezuela under orders of the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel, by its Spanish acronym). Conatel alleges, according to those affected, improper administrative decisions, while defenders of freedom of expression describe those actions as arbitrary.
Carlos Correa, director of the NGO Espacio Público, told EFE that, in addition to the fact that some closures are carried out under orders of public officials or for broadcasting criticism of the Government, in other cases they are applied to radio stations that operate under some kind of irregularity [without proper permits]. He attributes this to the fact that 'the radio spectrum management is a mess' and leads to arbitrary decisions.
Correa reminded, on occasion of World Radio Day, which is celebrated this Mon. [Feb. 13], that [radio] it is 'a means of entertainment, connection, closeness and company,' which when damaged 'undermines those possibilities in the poorest areas,' so these government measures are cause for concern to the [radio] industry."
