Hugo Chavez wants to regulate the Internet in Venezuela

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez called for Internet regulation in his country after a website falsely reported that one of his ministers was assasinated.

Noticierodigital, a political opinion website in Venezuela, had written the false story about the murder which remained on the site for a couple of days, said Chavez.

“The Internet cannot be something open where anything is said and done,” Chavez said.  ”Every country has to apply its own rules and norms.

“We have to act.  We are going to ask the attorney general for help, because this is a crime.  I have information that this page periodically publishes stories calling for a coup d’etat.  That cannot be permitted.”

Opposition parties are wary about Chavez going strict with the Internet and fear that he will try to imitate what Iran, Cuba and China are doing.

[via reuters.com]