Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Argentina turned out to be the worst areas to practice journalism in 2006 due to the enforcement of "gag" laws and practices by national authorities, Efe reported.

Based on a report entitled, "Local level journalism and Democracy indicators in Latin America," released Wednesday by NGO Cadal, Latin America was the second region in the world, after Iraq, with the highest number of journalists slain in 2006, and the second one concerning imprisoned reporters, behind China.

Venezuela and Bolivia are considered as countries where the State uses the media to shore its political power, said Cadal, the Center for Latin American Openness and Development.

Journalists in these two countries live in a "polarized" environment. As a result, "sooner or later they are forced to take sides," the report noted.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has announced measures in the communications area, such as non-renewal of some broadcasting licenses, a law regulating the graphic media and increasing size and coordination of the media at the government service.