Intimidation and stigmatizing speeches were the most recurrent attacks against press workers, IPYS Venezuela found. 11 foreign special envoys have been deported from the country since July 25
In just one week, between July 29 and August 4, the Venezuelan chapter of the Institute for Press and Society (IPYS) recorded 79 violations of press freedom due to electoral coverage and citizen protests following the presidential election results.
62 of these 79 violations were directly related to these events, IPYS Venezuela highlighted in a press release, a situation that they describe as alarming, “because it reveals a worsening of the systematic pattern of repression and control over information of public interest” in the country.
The organization stressed that media coverage of the elections “became more risky” when public attention focused on citizen protests and repression by security forces.
“Senior government officials issued statements against the independent press and equated media coverage of anti-government protests with serious crimes such as inciting hatred,” the Institute said.
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Documented violations include physical or verbal attacks (30); acts of stigmatizing speech (18); arrests (seven); censorship measures (seven); internet restrictions (seven); administrative restrictions (six); acts of judicial harassment (three) and restrictions on access to information (one).
“These forms of persecution underline the urgent need to protect independent journalists in the country, as their lives and personal integrity are being put at risk,” the Institute said.
Trujillo was the state with the most reported cases, with attacks on journalists while covering the news on the street and stigmatizing messages from the governor and a mayor, followed by the Metropolitan Area of Caracas. In total, these violations affected 44 reporters, seven foreign correspondents, three cameramen, three media managers and a photojournalist, as well as two journalists and political leaders.
IPYS Venezuela also noted the arbitrary detention of journalists as “particularly worrying.” Four media workers were jailed for covering protests: two cameramen, a reporter and a photojournalist in the states of Barinas, Trujillo, Guárico and Miranda, respectively.
In addition, 11 foreign special envoys have been deported from the country since July 25.
With information from Press release
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