Television news crew attacked

(IPYS/IFEX) – On 5 February 2003, a Televen television news team was attacked as it reported on events in the town of Yagua, Carabobo state, in central Venezuela. The news team, headed by journalist Charmiant Corado, was at a Yagua gasoline distribution centre to cover a visit to the site by members of parliament. A […]

(IPYS/IFEX) – On 5 February 2003, a Televen television news team was attacked as it reported on events in the town of Yagua, Carabobo state, in central Venezuela.

The news team, headed by journalist Charmiant Corado, was at a Yagua gasoline distribution centre to cover a visit to the site by members of parliament.

A group of President Hugo Chávez’s sympathisers gathered at the plant’s entrance to prevent the members of parliament and media from going inside.

The Televen news crew left in the camera assistant’s private car, but soon afterwards was ambushed by some 20 individuals travelling in a pick-up and armed with stones and sticks.

The assailants seized the cellular phone Corado was using to communicate with station headquarters and forced the camera operator to hand over the camera’s battery and the tape recording of the demonstration at the plant. The attackers also struck the camera assistant, dented his car and smashed the rear window.

Televen’s information head Ángel Lozado told IPYS that the demonstrators tried to take away the camera, but Corado was able to persuade them not to do so.

The news crew had gone to the Yagua plant to cover an inspection by members of parliament, who were planning to investigate if there had been any spills caused by the mishandling of equipment.

The Yagua plant is currently operated by interim workers who took control of the site a few weeks back. The station’s permanent staff joined an opposition civic strike that began on 2 December 2002, calling for Chávez’s resignation.

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