Politics
This year will go down in history as a bad period for freedom of expression in Venezuela, because besides the government's decision to close two regional TV stations and 32 radio stations, the government's threats against other 29 radio stations and the legal proceedings against private TV news network Globovisión, there was a 85 percent increase in the number of attacks on both journalists and mass media in January-September.

These data are contained in a report about the situation of freedom of expression in Venezuela between January and September 2009, which was released on Wednesday by Espacio Público, a leading human rights watchdog.

According to the document, there were 165 cases of violations of the rights of citizens to access and disseminate information and opinions, while in the same period last year, the organization reported 89 cases.

Shooting the messenger
Journalists and photojournalists were the main victims of the attacks, with a total of 58 cases; followed by attacks against media facilities, with 56 cases.

Last August 13, 13 reporters of privately-owned news outlet Cadena Capriles were attacked by alleged supporters of President Hugo Chávez when they handed out flyers against the new education law in Caracas.

Although the events occurred in broad daylight, relatively near the Miraflores Presidential Palace and the fact that several people participated in the attack, Venezuelan authorities only arrested one person, who was discharged by a judge days later, on conditional release.

This year, the headquarters of opposition TV station Globovisión were also attacked by a group of Chávez supporters. The group was headed by Lina Ron, a UPV leader.

Ron was arrested for several weeks, and was later released pending trial.

Usual suspects
As regards the people responsible for the violations of freedom of expression, the report published by Espacio Público says that the government is the main culprit, with 105 cases; followed by private third parties, with 40. Unidentified or unknown factors represented 20 cases.

Further, the report shows that the Capital District (Caracas) and the states of Táchira, Carabobo, Anzoátegui and Mérida were the riskiest states for journalists and media workers.

Complaint in Washington
Carlos Correa, the director of NGO Espacio Público, presented this report in the 137th public session of the Inter-American Commission on Human Right (IACHR) that considered the situation of freedom of expression in Venezuela. The meeting was held last Monday in Washington.
jalonso@eluniversal.com

Translated by Gerardo Cárdenas

Juan Francisco Alonso
EL UNIVERSAL