Venezuela TV makes comeback

RCTV returned two months after being taken off air

An opposition-aligned television station in Venezuela that lost its terrestrial licence at the end of May has returned to the air.

Radio Caracas Television will now be shown by cable and satellite companies. which reach about 30% of households.

President Hugo Chavez refused to renew the licence of RCTV, which in 2002 supported a failed coup attempt.

RCTV, Venezuela's oldest and one of its most popular TV stations, continued to be highly critical of the government.

At the end of May its frequency was taken over by a new government channel that aims to support the values of President Hugo Chavez's socialist revolution.

Many of the government's supporters welcomed the change, saying RCTV represented only the elite.

But the move sparked massive protests by people claiming freedom of speech had been attacked.

The government denies this is the case, saying other private media are free to operate.

It cites the channel's return to private subscription television as proof that it is not restricting free speech.

RCTV came back on air with a big fanfare. This voice of dissent will continue to antagonise the government, but for now at least it will only be seen by a minority of Venezuelans, says the BBC's James Ingham in Caracas.