Story highlights President Nicolas Maduro says CNN can stay in the country and report

Maduro calls on CNN to "rectify" its reporting

Maduro calls the network's coverage "war propaganda"

Tensions are running high amid anti-government protests

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told a CNN reporting team Friday that it could continue reporting in the South American country, a day after the government revoked or denied press credentials for CNN journalists.

Earlier, Maduro had said he would expel CNN if it did not "rectify" its coverage of anti-government protests. During a news conference aired live on state-run TV, Maduro reversed his early position, saying CNN could stay.

Following the more than two-hour news conference, officials told CNN that its journalists would be issued credentials to report within the country.

It was a bizarre end to the news conference that saw Maduro call out CNN, Fox News and other U.S.-based media, claiming they encouraged opposition forces against the government.

"Where is CNN en Español. There they are. ...They do not talk about anything except Venezuela. One hundred percent of the programming until today has been Venezuela. No other Latin American news but Venezuela," Maduro said.

"...They're calling for civil war, hatred and are lying to the world about what is happening in Venezuela. This comes back to the owner of CNN. He is the one who sets the guidelines. And they work with the State Department, and from there they use that network to foment a pretend war among Venezuelans and to say internationally there should be intervention in Venezuela."

Maduro called on CNN to rectify its reporting.

"I know they want to stay in Venezuela. Do it. Cover Venezuela. Cover it in a balanced way. When they call you and say report THIS, find a balance," he said. "A balance based on respect for Venezuelan laws. He who does not respect the laws will not be on Venezuelan airwaves."

CNN correspondents Rafael Romo and Karl Penhaul, and CNN en Español's Osmary Hernandez were often shown prominently in cutaway shots during the state TV broadcast.

During the broadcast, Maduro invited a question from Penhaul, who asked about the status of an investigation into the theft of CNN's television equipment at gunpoint this week. The crew had been covering an anti-government protest when they were robbed.

Maduro assured Penhaul the incident was being investigated.

"We expect that you will be able to go with the loss recovered," Maduro said.

Anti-government protests have become a daily occurrence in the country, and clashes with security forces or pro-government supporters have resulted in at least eight deaths, officials said.

In a televised speech on Thursday, Maduro said CNN was not showing "the people working, studying, building the homeland."

"Enough war propaganda. I do not accept war propaganda against Venezuela. If they do not rectify things, get out of Venezuela, CNN, get out," Maduro said, to applause from his pro-government audience.

Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Sorting fact from fiction in Venezuela – The images of the Venezuela protests spreading online have been a mix of truths and half-truths, with some actually showing other world events. In this verified image, a student in Maracaibo lights a tire on fire on February 15. Note: The images in this gallery may be disturbing to some. (This gallery has been updated to include examples of photo manipulation by the government, in addition to the Venezuelan opposition.) Hide Caption 1 of 11 Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Debunked: Crying woman holds officer – This image, supposedly showing a sobbing Venezuelan student seeking comfort from an officer, is from a protest in Bulgaria in November. Hide Caption 2 of 11 Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Verified: Students close off street – IReporter and professional photographer Roberto Carlo Rojas explained how students light tires on fire to close down streets. "Surprisingly, the police and some military personnel helped the students to close streets and protected them," he said of a February 15 protest in Maracaibo. Hide Caption 3 of 11 Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Debunked: Soldier puts student in a headlock – People sharing this photo say a Venezuelan student was put in a headlock by a national guardsman. The original photo reveals that this was from a student protest in Chile in October 2011. Hide Caption 4 of 11 Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Verified: Student holds angry sign – "Damned are the media that give its people the cold shoulder," reads a sign held by a student protesting in Caracas on February 15. Protesters say national media are not reporting about the protests and the violence. Hide Caption 5 of 11 Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Debunked: Wounded child cries – People tweeting this photo this week alleged that it showed a child injured in the state of Tachira. This is actually an image of a child wounded in the Syrian conflict. The United Nations confirmed that chemical weapons were used against civilians, including children, in August. Hide Caption 6 of 11 Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Verified: Protester faces picket line – A protester in Caracas stands in front of a "piquete," a National Guard picket. Freelance photographer Carlos Becerra captured this image on February 15. Hide Caption 7 of 11 Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Debunked: Police fire on student – Political analyst Esteban Gerbasi tweeted this photo, calling it an example of dictatorship. The Getty photo shows police firing rubber bullets at a protester during clashes in Rio de Janeiro on June 20. Hide Caption 8 of 11 Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Verified: Woman mourns – A young woman cries on February 13 at the spot where an opposition member was killed a day before in Caracas. Hide Caption 9 of 11 Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Sorting fact from fiction in Venezuela protests – Venezuelan Vice President Diosdado Cabello shared on television a photo showing an arsenal of "assault weapons" that he said belonged to a retired general involved in a standoff with authorities. The photo actually shows a collection of air rifles used by hobbyists. The photo was taken from the website of a rental shop in Wisconsin. Hide Caption 10 of 11 Photos: Photos: Venezuela, fact vs. fiction Sorting fact from fiction in Venezuela protests – Cabello also displayed this photo on television, claiming that one of the victims of the clashes was actually a mercenary who was killed by his own people for not following orders. The Venezuelan Airsoft Federation released a statement saying that in reality, the man was an Airsoft player with no military ties whatsoever. Hide Caption 11 of 11

"Fuera! Fuera!" people in the crowd shouted -- "Out! Out!"

Hours later, government officials notified seven journalists for CNN International and CNN en Español that their press accreditation had been denied or revoked.

CNN teams from outside Venezuela were told to book flights back to their home countries.

Maduro described CNN's journalists with some of the same adjectives he uses for his political opponents.

"A group of fascists with their aggressions want to take us away from peace," Maduro said. "They are not going to do that. And we are going to show them."

When members of the CNN International team were told their credentials were denied, they were asked several times when they would be leaving the country.

While the journalists were asked to leave, CNN International and CNN en Español continue to broadcast in Venezuela.

CNN has repeatedly asked for a meeting with officials.

"CNN has reported both sides of the tense situation in Venezuela, even with very limited access to government officials," CNN said in a statement, adding that at the time its credentials were revoked, CNN was seeking an interview with the president.

"We hope the government will reconsider its decision. Meanwhile, we will continue reporting on Venezuela in the fair, accurate and balanced manner we are known for."

A top legislative leader for the ruling party said the government will investigate the allegations against CNN, and will not "tremble in acting against those who make an attempt against the motherland."

The move to revoke CNN's press credentials comes after weeks of protests that mark the largest demonstrations Maduro has faced in his 11 months in power following the death of President Hugo Chavez . Government authorities and opposition leaders have blamed each other for deaths resulting from the violence.

Leopoldo Lopez , an opposition leader in Venezuela, faces arson and conspiracy charges in connection with the unrest. Lopez, who has denied the charges, is being held in a military prison outside Caracas.

Venezuela also expelled three U.S. diplomats this week, accusing them of conspiring to bring down the government -- an accusation that the State Department has repeatedly denied.