(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: Paris, 31 May 2000 For immediate release Venezuelan Press Group Joins World Association of Newspapers The Venezuelan Publishers Association — the Bloque de Prensa Venezolano — has joined the World Association of Newspapers at a critical time for press freedom in the South American country, WAN […]
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release:
Paris, 31 May 2000
For immediate release
Venezuelan Press Group Joins World Association of Newspapers
The Venezuelan Publishers Association — the Bloque de Prensa Venezolano — has joined the World Association of Newspapers at a critical time for press freedom in the South American country, WAN announced Wednesday.
The Venezuelan organisation, which represents 35 daily newspapers, joins WAN amid concerns that the country’s new constitution may pose a potential threat to the press.
“The constitution has raised concerns because its vague language leaves open the possibility for new laws that may restrict freedom of the press,” said Timothy Balding, the WAN Director General.
WAN will offer its colleagues in Venezuela the full support of the global newspaper community to assess and respond to any potential threats to their freedom, he said.
Among other things, the new constitution states that citizens have the right to “fair-minded” and “opportune” information. “These phrases are subject to arbitrary interpretation, have the clear potential for abuse, and imply interference in editorial content,” said Mr. Balding.
The immediate past President of the Publishers Association and the current editor of El Universal of Caracas, Andres A. Mata Osorio, expressed his gratitude to WAN for accepting the Venezuelan press organisation as a member at such a crucial moment.
“I look forward to encouraging other Venezuelan editors to become active in WAN commercial forums as well as in its well-known efforts to defend press freedom worldwide,” he said.
The Bloque de Prensa Venezolano becomes the 64th national newspaper association in the Paris-based WAN, which represents more than 17,000 newspapers world-wide.
The Venezuelan association was created in 1958. In addition to its 35 newspaper members, with a combined circulation of 1.8 million copies a day, it also includes 11 magazines. The association’s statutes put the defense of freedom of expression as the principal objective of the organisation.
WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 17,000 newspapers; its membership includes 64 national newspaper associations, individual newspaper executives in 93 countries, 17 news agencies and seven regional and world-wide press groups.
