Amid skyrocketing inflation and shortages of basic goods, Venezuelan authorities claim that an "economic war" is being waged against the government, and are striking back by forcing stores to discount prices and by targeting journalists trying to cover the grim economic news.
The following is a CPJ Blog post by John Otis, CPJ Andes Consultant:
Amid skyrocketing inflation and shortages of basic goods, Venezuelan authorities claim that an “economic war” is being waged against the socialist government of President Nicolás Maduro. The government is striking back by forcing stores to discount prices, by arresting business owners accused of hoarding–and by targeting journalists trying to cover the grim economic news.
Over the past two months, several journalists have been briefly detained by authorities. The editor of Caracas’s top financial daily was fired after Maduro complained about a story. Seemingly at Maduro’s request, newspapers are being investigated by the attorney general’s office for their economic reports. Officials are even berating journalists for using words like “shortages” or for reporting on scattered outbreaks of looting. The repression comes during the run-up to mayoral elections that will be held across Venezuela on Sunday and are widely viewed as a referendum on the Maduro government.
Read the full story on CPJ’s site.
