Chavez's opponents say he has no right to use state media to ridicule foes

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
In speech after speech, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stares at the television camera and unleashes a hail of colorful insults against his opponents. "Oligarchs," "fascists," "mafia bosses" and "coup mongers" are among his favorite taunts. But critics complain Chavez has no right to use public airwaves to ridicule foes and campaign for allies, in essence making state media a propaganda machine that puts opponents at a disadvantage ahead of Nov. 23 state and local elections. Chavez - who was accused of unfairly using state media to further his own re-election in 2006 - has never been shy about insulting his critics, but the frequency and tone of his comments have recently heated up. He now uses the term "little Yankees" almost daily, trying to tar opponents as US-loving traitors.