(IPYS/IFEX) – In the middle of May 2001, President Hugo Chávez Frías called communications professionals “pirates” for their publication of information and opinions that were critical of his actions. This latest incident is part of the ongoing confrontation that the government – headed by Commander Chávez – has been having with the media. While at […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – In the middle of May 2001, President Hugo Chávez Frías called communications professionals “pirates” for their publication of information and opinions that were critical of his actions. This latest incident is part of the ongoing confrontation that the government – headed by Commander Chávez – has been having with the media.
While at the international airport of Maiquetía, as he was leaving for a twenty-one day tour of Asia and Eastern Europe, Chávez burst out against Venezuelan journalists for having published various news reports regarding his announced “emergency measures”.
The Venezuelan president first spoke of these extraordinary measures in his 25 April speech before the legislature. Subsequently, one of his principal legal advisors, Herman Escarrá, affirmed that they were looking into States of Emergency, which are foreseen in articles 337, 338, and 339 of the constitution that came into effect in 1999.
These official announcements have generated great controversy and an intense debate regarding the suitability or not of such a presidential measure. All media have communicated this national concern. The president’s attack against the journalists – accusing them of not being very professional – is at the very least thought to be unwarranted.
The Venezuelan president has discredited the national and international press on a number of occasions. In March, he described Venezuelan journalists as being anti-social. There was also the time when he strongly criticised the Colombian, Bolivian and North American media, as well as discrediting the Inter American Press Association (IAPA).
