(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release: Journalists “Brutally Attacked” as Venezuela Street Clashes Put Media on the Frontline The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalists’ organisation, today strongly condemned numerous attacks on journalists over the last two days in Venezuela. At least 14 journalists were injured in clashes between soldiers […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release:
Journalists “Brutally Attacked” as Venezuela Street Clashes Put Media on the Frontline
The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalists’ organisation, today strongly condemned numerous attacks on journalists over the last two days in Venezuela. At least 14 journalists were injured in clashes between soldiers and protesters as street violence continued on from Monday’s nation-wide general strike.
“Once again, it is journalists who are caught in the middle of this political fire-fight,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “The government of Hugo Chávez must take responsibility for ending the violence by ordering security forces and government supporters to allow journalists to work without intimidation.”
On Tuesday a group of journalists were brutally attacked by the security forces when they were trying to reach a protest march in Caracas. A photographer for Diario 2001, Fernando Malavé, and media worker José Avila, employed by canal CMT, were badly injured by plastic bullets. Others, including Luis Alfonso Fernández (Venevision) and Aymara Lorenzo (Globovision), were attacked with machetes, and Rafael Fuenmayor (CMT) was kicked several times.
Yesterday a group of journalists was attacked in the city of Barquisimeto. Riots broke out during an opposition march, which turned violent when supporters of President Hugo Chávez arrived on the scene. As a result, José Rodríguez (Diario El Impulso) suffered a concussion when he was hit on the head with a wooden club. Others, including Julio Tovar (Venevision); Gustavo Escalona and Clara Reverol (Televen); Miguel Angel Lopez and Yelina Torrealba; (Telecentro); Iriana Brett (Diario Hoy); Christian Rodríguez and José Barreto (Promar Television); and Martín Urtiaga (El Informador) were beaten by Chávez supporters and sustained various injuries.
The violence spread as opposition groups, led by the trade union movement, called for the government to stand down, and for a general election.
“The crisis in Venezuela calls for media professionalism and impartiality,” said Aidan White, “but unless action is taken to guarantee the safety of journalists and the right of media to report freely, the country runs the risk of a descent into lawlessness and civil strife fuelled by ignorance, speculation and rumour.”
The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.
