A total of 20 aggressions and 19 attacks on the press were recorded in 2007, according to a report on the status of press and freedom of expression released on Monday by NGO Espacio Público.

The report not only accounts for untoward events for journalists, but states also that no assailants have been punished.

"We have not record of any punishment, not even administratively, against any official. Perhaps it has happened and no data have been supplied. However, it would be peculiar, because journalists would be ready to tell that some official was punished," said Carlos Correa, the chair of Espacio Público.

Correa said that the report notes the hard access of the press to official sources, to such an extent that any government information is "rather exceptional."

According to the official, in 2007 there were 50 applications for information to state agencies; there was no reply for 87 percent of them.