The Espacio Público report collects the performance from January to August 2022 and compares it with the same period in 2021. The NGO recorded 50 general interruptions of the internet service and documented 58 intimidations linked to the impediment to the work of journalists and photojournalists in toppings
The NGO Espacio Público reported on its website that between January and August 2022, at least 128 cases of violations of freedom of expression were registered in Venezuela, that figure being 15% less than the same period in 2021.
In agreement to the Public Space statistics, it was the month of January that the number of cases against freedom of expression reached a peak of 24, while in April it was the lowest point recorded so far of eight. However, since that month there has been a sustained increase in the last four months.
Those 128 cases translate into 228 complaints of violations of freedom of expression; 22% less than in the period from January to August 2021.
He warned that, despite seeing a decrease in these episodes in relation to previous years, the main violation that was documented was censorship, with 89 records (39%), which includes general failures of the internet service and closures of media outlets. .
*Also read: Without moralism or censorship, “Jezebel” premieres this #11Ago in theaters in Venezuela
The NGO recorded the closure of at least 11 radio stations in the states of Portuguesa, Anzoátegui, Guárico and Barinas.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (RELE), an organ of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), condemned the increase in censorship in Venezuela, as well as the increase in attacks, censorship and harassment against journalists and media outlets of the country by government authorities.
In a statement, from date July 29, The RELE indicated that during the first six months of 2022 it has documented “severe restrictions” on the right to freedom of expression, as well as a “hostile environment” for the practice of journalism due to the continuous accusations, persecutions and even arbitrary arrests by by or with the support of public officials.
From January to August, Espacio Público registered 50 general internet service interruptions; a fact that represented an increase of 284% when compared to what happened in 2021. This indicator, together with the restrictions on freedom of expression on social networks, totaled 74 episodes; 58% of all cases.
*Also read: Espacio Público registered 19 cases and 27 violations of freedom of expression in August
On the other hand, it documented 58 intimidations (25%) linked to the impediment to the work of journalists and photojournalists in coverage.
“This type of situation occurred regularly in the vicinity of public institutions or during social protests and had the security forces as the main victimizer,” the text explains.
At least 53 journalists and reporters (34%) saw their right to freedom of expression limited, followed by the public, who recorded 50 registrations (32%) and the same media with 31 occasions (20%).
The main perpetrators were State institutions (46%), followed by security forces (19%) and officials in third place (18%).
With additional information from Swiss Info
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