A media committee in Venezuela's parliament is set to begin today studying a draft law that, if approved, could jail anyone publishing comments that authorities consider a threat to national interests. The controversial text will be weighed just days after President Hugo Chávez's government revoked the licenses of 32 radio stations and two local television stations "to democratize the radio-electric spectrum."

"We are going to analyze the text and make contributions so that the law can reflect what the media situation in Venezuela is.", said Deputy Rosario Pacheco, who's the president of the Congress Media Committee.

The president of the parliamentary media committee, Rosario Pacheco, told AFP that the text was only an outline for now, and that the public could be consulted before it was put before lawmakers for debate and a vote.

"The media have to assume the consequences of their acts," said Information Minister Blanca Eekhout. "If they commit a crime, they must be punished."

Detractors, though, call the text a "muzzle law." They noted that Chavez supporters dominate the parliament and pass bills endorsed by the president, who in any case also can rule by decree.

The draft law being considered has similarly created uproar among media and rights groups.

The text "is not compatible with freedom of expression in Venezuela," agreed Gregorio Salazar, secretary general of the National Press Workers' Union.

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