Venezuela

Regional networks Al Sur; Alianza Regional por la Libre Expresión e Información; IFEX-ALC and Voces del Sur reject the International Cooperation Bill currently under discussion in the National Assembly in Venezuela as it poses a risk to the existence of social and civil organizations in the country by undermining the right to freedom of association.

Since Venezuela began cracking down on independent media in 2007, most internet blockages have been conducted by CANTV, the state-run ISP that now provides two-thirds of residential connections.

Fresh blocks on a handful of Venezuela’s few remaining independent news websites are a troubling sign of escalating press censorship.

IFEX-ALC expresses its solidarity with Roberto Deniz and the Armando.info investigative journalism portal, as both are being subjected to harassment and judicial persecution.

Venezuelan authorities should ensure that civil defamation suits cannot be abused to censor news outlets, and should return “El Nacional”’s headquarters to its owners immediately.

The NGOs of civil society express our resounding rejection of new Administrative Ruling 001-2021 for the Unified Registry of Obligated Subjects before the National Office Against Organized Crime and Terrorism Financing

Venezuelan authorities should immediately drop all charges against journalists Otilio Rodríguez and Nicmer Evans, release Evans immediately, and stop using the country’s anti-hate law to persecute the press.

We, the member organisations of the IFEX-ALC network, condemn the arrest of journalist Darvinson Rojas in retaliation for his publication of information regarding COVID-19 infection cases in the Venezuelan state of Miranda. We call for his immediate release and for the charges against him to be dropped.

Venezuelan authorities must immediately release journalist Darvinson Rojas and ensure that the media can cover the coronavirus outbreak in the country without fear of retribution.

Venezuelan authorities should quickly and thoroughly investigate the violent attacks on journalists covering Juan Guaidó’s return to the country, and determine whether security forces were negligent in protecting journalists.

Blocking the IACHR’s entry to the country denies victims the opportunity to be heard and seek justice.

CPJ calls on Venezuelan authorities to immediately allow local news outlets Telecaribe and Venepress to resume their work informing the public and cease their harassment of independent media.

Journalist and ICORN writer-in-residence Milagros Socorro continues to write and fight against corruption and authoritarianism in her native Venezuela.

Getting on public transit to verbally narrate the news, using personal social networks, or creating WhatsApp groups among journalists… these are some of the alternative methods being used in the face of the news blackout.

“If Venezuelan authorities had any credible evidence to support the charges against Jatar, they would have put him on trial. Instead he still faces criminal prosecution simply for reporting on protests,” CPJ pointed out.

Since 7 May 2019, the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guard has blocked journalists from accessing the National Assembly, the country’s legislature, during the body’s debates and activities held every Tuesday, according to news reports and local rights organizations.