March 24 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuela's government won't shut down private television network Globovision, Information and Communication Minister Andres Izarra said, according to El Nacional.

The minister's comments came in response to alerts from the Inter American Press Association, which says that President Hugo Chavez has threatened the television news channel, El Nacional reported.

Izarra said reports that Venezuela had plans to close the television station are part of a campaign to discredit Chavez, the newspaper said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Matthew Walter in Caracas at mwalter4@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: March 24, 2008 10:13 EDT