Chavez revokes charges for retransmission of state-run TV signal

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday ordered the annulment of a measure that would introduce charges for the retransmission of the state-run channel's signals by private TV stations. The order came two days after Information and Communication Minister Andres Izarra tendered his resignation over the planned charges for the use of footage from the Venezolana de Television (VTV) channel. On Tuesday, Izarra told a news conference that he was stepping down from his post over the 'unilateral' move by VTV, which was criticized by private TV channels. Izarra said he would submit his resignation to Chavez because the decision to charge private TV stations was made without consulting with the president. There have been no reports so far on whether Chavez accepted Izarra's resignation.