Venezuela to revoke radio licences

The head of Venezuela's telecommunications regulatory agency is to revoke 240 radio licences

The head of Venezuela's telecommunications regulatory agency has said that 240 radio stations will have their licences revoked for failing to update their registrations with the government.

A total of 86 AM radio stations and 154 FM stations have failed to turn in required documents, which will lead to the "recovery of all those concessions by the state," said Diosdado Cabello, who heads the telecommunications agency.

Mr Cabello said the radio stations should "shut down their equipment right away because we're going to open administrative proceedings, and that involves seizure of equipment".

He said stations using their frequency without government authorisation could face sanctions.

The government last month began a process of updating the registration of TV and radio stations under a law regulating broadcasters, and demanded that all outlets file information with the regulatory agency by June 23 including details about assets and ownership.

Mr Cabello, a close ally of President Hugo Chavez, said the radio stations that stand to lose their licenses "are not interested in updating their information" and are not complying with the law.

It remained unclear what recourse the stations might have.

The move comes amid tensions generated by investigations against opposition-aligned television channel Globovision that could lead to its closure.

Mr Cabello said the government has also opened investigations into a group of unidentified broadcasters for airing segments by two non-governmental organisations supporting private property rights.