The move to close RCTV -- Venezuela's oldest broadcaster -- has been condemned by the US Senate and the EU Parliament.

"This has exposed the abusive, arbitrary and autocratic nature of Chavez's government, a government that fears free thought, that fears opinion and fears criticism," said Marcel Granier, head of RCTV.

Opinion polls found nearly 70% of Venezuelans opposed the closure -- but most respondents were more worried about the loss of their favourite soap operas than freedom of expression.

But there is no sympathy for the closure from Chavez's supporters, who see the opposition channels as complicit in the attempted coup against their leader.

"They all participated in the coup and incited violence," said Chavez loyalist and shopkeeper Jose Quijada.

But the campaign against Chavez is continuing as online as activists lobby the world to end what they see as a damaging form of totalitarianism.

'The world needs to know. Only you guys abroad can help us spread the word," said anonymous activist 'Anonimo'.

"Chavez spends hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying around the world with goverments and earning many [sic] international support at the expense of our taxes, natural resources, and freedoms.

"Many of us are scared, but we are willing to do something about it."