Venezuela’s President Blames Soap Operas for Crime

Once the United States ended its love affair with late afternoon soap operas, a result of women joining the workforce and television turning to talk shows, South America filled the void with telenovelas. Some creators and analysts credit the popular long running storylines with reducing birthrates, increasing awareness of women’s rights and reflecting society’s increasing violence. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accuses telenovelas of spreading “anti-values” and “glamorizing violence, guns and drugs,” reports Fabiola Sanchez for the Associated Press. The country has the world’s fifth highest homicide rate and many illegal guns, and Venezuelans were particularly alarmed by the violent shooting death of Monica Spear, a popular telenovela star, and her husband, on a highway. The president has also criticized video games and Hollywood films. Officials review shows and demand programming that is “socially responsible,” as defined by a 2004 law, but opponents maintain the real goal is censorship of any government criticism. – YaleGlobal