CNP recorded more than 100 cases of attacks on the press

A total of 102 cases of attacks on journalists and media outlets were recorded in Venezuela after the presidential elections of July 28, including the “deportation of foreign correspondents” and “arbitrary detentions”according to a report by the National College of Journalists (CNP) published on Friday, August 30 in the social network X.

Through the social network Instagram, the CNP indicated that, from the day of the electoral elections until Thursday, August 29, the following were counted:

-19 cases of bullying

-15 cases of deportation of foreign correspondents

-15 arbitrary arrests

-14 coverage impediments

-10 cases of harassment

-9 threats

Photo: National College of Journalists/ X @CNPCaracas

The CNP also detailed that five physical attacks were documented, three radio program closures, three “campaigns against CNP executives”, two “deletions of recorded material”two cases of damage to media offices, an “attempted theft of equipment”, a passport cancellation, a radio station closure, a theft of equipment and damage to property belonging to a journalist.

According to the CNP’s investigation, the cases registered since July 28 represent half of the total number of cases recorded so far in 2024, which is 204, most of them cases of “intimidation,” of which the organization claims to have documented 50, according to reports from the EFE news agency on Friday, August 30.

Harassment against the Venezuelan press

Edgar Cárdenas, general secretary of the CNP Caracas, denounced that there is a State policy that “seeks to silence information”He also rejected the idea that the accusations against the detained journalists are based on alleged crimes of “inciting hatred, terrorism and criminal association, which criminalizes journalistic work.”

For Cárdenas, practicing journalism in Venezuela “is highly risky” since any information, opinion or comment that may be sensitive to the spheres of power can lead to attacks, persecution or subsequent arrest.

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The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) recently warned of an “illegal and arbitrary use of anti-terrorism laws (…) especially against journalists and photojournalists detained during post-election protests.”

In another case, the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) on August 14 rejected the accusation of this crime and condemned the increase in arbitrary arrests, censorship and blockades against the press in Venezuela.