Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised DVD, Solidarity Tours, DVD Distribution, Trade union support for Venezuela

Prominent figures including Members of Parliament, Nobel Prize for literature winner Harold Pinter, film-maker John Pilger and Tony Benn have called for support for the Venezuelan government's decision not to renew the licence of the RCTV television station. Academics, trade unionists and student leaders also backed the call.

In a letter they say that the decision of the "Venezuelan government not to renew the broadcasting licence of RCTV when it expires on May 27 is legitimate given that RCTV has used its access to the public airwaves to repeatedly call for the overthrow of the democratically elected government of President Hugo Chávez" and point out that ''RCTV gave vital practical support'' to the military coup against Hugo Chavez in April 2002.

They explain that 'RCTV, far from being silenced, is being allowed to continue broadcasting by satellite and cable' and ask people to "Imagine the consequences if the BBC or ITV were found to be part of a coup against the government," and urges Venezuela to be given "the same consideration."

The letter and a number of its signatories appeared in The Guardian newspaper (26 May). The letter and its signatories are below:

We believe that the decision of the Venezuelan government not to renew the broadcasting licence of RCTV when it expires on May 27 is legitimate given that RCTV has used its access to the public airwaves to repeatedly call for the overthrow of the democratically elected government of President Hugo Chávez.

RCTV gave vital practical support to the overthrow of Venezuela's elected government in April 2002 in which at least 13 people were killed. In the 47 hours that the coup plotters held power, they overturned much of Venezuela's democratic constitution - closing down the elected national assembly, the Supreme Court and other state institutions.

RCTV exhorted the public to take to the streets and overthrow the government and also colluded with the coup by deliberately misrepresenting what was taking place, and then conducting a news blackout. Its production manager, Andrés Izarra, who opposed the coup, immediately resigned so as not to become an accomplice.

This is not a case of censorship. In Venezuela more than 90% of the media is privately owned and virulently opposed to the Chávez government. RCTV, far from being silenced, is being allowed to continue broadcasting by satellite and cable.

In Venezuela, as in Britain, TV stations must adhere to laws and regulations governing what they can broadcast. Imagine the consequences if the BBC or ITV were found to be part of a coup against the government. Venezuela deserves the same consideration.

Yours,

• Tariq Ali,

• Tony Benn,

• Colin Burgon MP,

• Julia Buxton, academic,

• Ruyuyyah Collector, Black Students' Officer, National Union of Students,

• Jeremy Corbyn MP,

• Jon Cruddas MP,

• Megan Dobney, Regional Secretary, SERTUC

• Billy Hayes, General Secretary, CWU,

• Gordon Hutchison, Secretary, Venezuela Information Centre,

• Kelvin Hopkins MP,