Venezuela has passed a media law that imposes strict penalties on outlets that violate its moral criteria, El Nacional newspaper reported Thursday. The Law for Responsibility in Radio and Television prevents TV stations from showing sex, violence or vulgar language between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. President Hugo Chavez says the law protects children from being exposed to adult themes; but his critics say the leftist leader is just trying to silence the opposition and wrest control of the media. Human rights groups are concerned Chavez could use the vague lettering of the law to impose his personal will on TV outlets. During a short-lived coup in April 2002, Venezuela’s independent TV stations appeared to side with the opposition. Chavez temporarily pulled the plug on at least one station during the unrest. © Copyright 2004 by United Press International

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