"Venezuela is going to export peace to the world"

Venezuela has approved legislation to clamp down on the media.

Any outlet that broadcasts messages “promoting hate and tolerance” will be sanctioned or taken off air. Web pages will be blocked.

Television and radio licenses are now required to broadcast at least 30 minutes of programming a week that “promotes peace and tolerance” or risk heavy fines.

The country’s legislative body, the “constituyente”, passed the so-called anti-hate law on Wednesday.

Online outlets have six hours to remove any content violating the new rules, which come into effect immediately.

The ‘anti-hate’ law passed today in Venezuela seeks to end free speech in social media — a key space for Venezuelans to express themselves in a country with shrinking free speech avenues https://t.co/6UhGOtHzpl

— José Miguel Vivanco (@JMVivancoHRW) 8 novembre 2017

Why is this happening?

Analysts say Venezuela’s governing socialists are looking to crack down on dissent. The country has been rocked by violent protests for most of this year.

#Venezuela: les 5 icônes de la protestation divisées sur les élections #protests | https://t.co/tIRMHS6nY6https://t.co/HFhwzrKL4apic.twitter.com/5hmdor64yC

— Lénie Blue (@LenieBlue) 14 octobre 2017

Venezuela’s constituent assembly was installed in July with the aim of rewriting the constitution.

It has been persecuting some of Maduro’s most strident critics. Last week, it removed the parliamentary immunity of Freddy Guevara, the vice president of the opposition-led National Assembly and one of the biggest supporters of the recent protests.

The anti-hate law also threatens to ban any political party that does not enforce the new regulations within their ranks.

Have any networks been blocked already?

Yes. Three networks have been taken off air.