 |
So to Speak: The Free Speech PodcastAuthor: FIRE
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast takes an uncensored look at the world of free expression through the law, philosophy, and stories that define your right to free speech. Hosted by FIRE's Nico Perrino. New episodes post every other week. Language: en Genres: News, News Commentary, Politics Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Ep. 284: Venezuela is a cautionary tale w/ Jim Epstein and Germania Rodriguez Poleo
Episode 284
Wednesday, 7 October, 2026
For more than half a century, Radio Caracas Televisión, or RCTV, broadcast news, sports, comedies, and telenovelas in Venezuela. Its news coverage was also fiercely critical of President Hugo Chávez. When RCTV's broadcast license expired, the government refused to renew it. Minutes later, a state-funded channel took its place. RCTV was one target in a broader campaign to silence dissent. Under Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, the government gradually tightened its grip on the media, punished political dissent, and weakened institutions that had protected democratic freedoms. A new documentary, Escaping Venezuela, traces the erosion of free speech and press freedom through the story of Carlos Mora, who was imprisoned and tortured after helping Venezuelan dissidents escape to Colombia. Joining us are director Jim Epstein and narrator Germania Rodríguez Poleo to discuss the film and how Venezuela's democratic institutions broke down. Read more about Escaping Venezuela here. Read Germania's Reason article here. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:12 Fear and self-censorship under Chavez 07:39 Making Escaping Venezuela 12:53 Germania's family and the crackdown on journalists 18:41 The destruction of Venezuela's free press 22:43 How Venezuela silenced dissent 32:56 RCTV as a symbol for press freedom 39:31 Venezuela after Maduro's capture 44:41 How Venezuela embraced socialism and Chavez came to power 50:13 Venezuelan immigrants and the end of TPS 52:44 Can Venezuela become a democracy again? 01:01:01 Where to watch Escaping Venezuela 01:04:05 Outro Enjoy listening to the podcast? Donate to FIRE today and get exclusive content like member webinars, special episodes, and more. If you became a FIRE Member through a donation to FIRE at fire.org and would like access to Substack's paid subscriber podcast feed, please email sotospeak@fire.org.
