The Venezuelan press lives under fear
The organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released a report this Monday on the growing repression against press freedom in Venezuela following the July 28 presidential elections, and calls for action from the international community to help restore journalism in the country.
The document, titled Restrictions on press freedom and media suffocation in the electoral context in Venezuelawhich was prepared in conjunction with seven organizations, including Freedom House, Foundation for Freedom of the Press (FLIP), Fundamedios and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), reveals that between July 1 and August 28, more of 228 violations of press freedom, including physical and verbal attacks, arbitrary arrests and the expulsion of foreign journalists. The text contains testimonies and interviews from local and international journalists.
#Venezuela: RSF and 7 allied organizations today published a report condemning the repression of the press in 🇻🇪. The launch took place in an online event with the participation of @PVacaV of the @RELE_CIDH. Read the full report👇 https://t.co/5ISYyh3JL1
— RSF in Spanish (@RSF_esp) November 18, 2024
“The report published by RSF and allied organizations is an alarming summary of what we have observed closely in recent months: the Venezuelan press lives under constant fear and risk. Nicolás Maduro’s government has intentionally isolated the country, harshly silencing local journalists and expelling or restricting access to foreign media professionals. “We demand the immediate release of the eight journalists who were arbitrarily detained while covering the electoral process, and we ask the international community to pressure the Venezuelan government to guarantee freedom of the press and the rights of journalists,” said the director of the Office. for Latin America of RSF, Artur Romeu.
The relevant figures in the Reporters Without Borders report
• 228 violations of press freedom.
• 62 physical and verbal attacks against the press.
• 11 foreign journalists arbitrarily detained and expelled.
• At least 8 journalists remain arbitrarily imprisoned.
• Blocking of at least 29 websites of media outlets and press organizations.
• 45 cases of stigmatizing speeches against the press.
• 10 media outlets and press agencies were the target of these speeches.
Recommendations to the Venezuelan State
The report recommended that the Venezuelan State immediately release the eight journalists who remain imprisoned, suspend the annulment of passports of journalists and communicators without prior information or motivation and unblock the portals, news sites and verification platforms whose access has been restricted.
The organization recommends that the international community facilitate direct and open dialogue with organizations operating inside and outside the country to establish direct communication channels in risk and emergency situations for journalists and media outlets.
Also pressure international actors such as Telefónica de España, Meta and Google to guarantee their transparency regarding concessions to the Venezuelan government such as blocks, interceptions and requests for interception and metadata of their clients’ communications.
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