THE UNIVERSAL
The current exercise of journalism in Venezuela is subject to challenges that force, on the one hand, companies and schools of social communication to adapt to the technological advances that are imposed in the world; and on the other, professionals to maintain their commitment to the public to offer quality information, while facing government pressure and economic difficulties experienced by the media.
In short, it is the opinion of the general secretary of the National College of Journalists, Caracas section, Édgar Cárdenas, interviewed for El Universal, on the occasion of June 27 commemorating the national day of this union.
world panorama
Asked in the first place regarding his perception in relation to the exercise of social communication in the world, Cárdenas, who in addition to being a trade unionist works as a teacher in the field, referred to the irruption of new technologies and with them the appearance of the Internet. , creating the spaces where most matters of public interest are debated today, with which “information ceases to be a monopoly of journalists in the media”, and which would not point to the disappearance of professional journalism, “but it does greater the commitment that journalists must have, since we are obliged to be more careful in preparing information, combat misinformation and prioritize relevant information content so that it can be received efficiently.
Venezuela does not escape
For Cárdenas, social communication in Venezuela, in addition to having undergone structural transformations in technological matters, has also been affected in the political, economic and cultural spheres.
According to his criteria, the journalistic exercise in the country faces threats and different situations that imply the duty to resume information as a matter of public welfare. In this sense, he considers fundamental that journalism exposes society to the different political, social and economic events that affect the life of the citizen.
“Exercising journalism today in Venezuela is difficult, given that from the highest spheres of power there are attempts, through different mechanisms and channels, to silence information, limiting expressions and opinions; consequently attacking free and independent expression, which is contrary to democracy”, he stressed.
He denounces the creation of legal instruments that, according to what he affirms, “seek to control uncomfortable content and that translate into censorship and intimidation that account for it.” And he goes on to quote: “For example, the law once morest hate, which has been applied to journalists and press workers for complying with their duty to inform.”
According to estimates, critical and plural journalism has been losing, “as a result of those restrictions that have been imposed, which makes it difficult to fulfill the commitment of journalism not only to inform but to seek the truth.”
He adds that, on the other hand, the impact of the economic situation is evident, to which he attributes having generated serious problems in the operation of the media, “which unfortunately do not allow achieving the necessary economic support for investment, development, even of cover the salary costs of journalists and other media workers.
The union leader also raises the need to respect the guarantees contemplated in the Constitution of the Republic, as well as in the different international legal instruments, among which human rights and information rights stand out.
academic outdated
Cárdenas, on the other hand, addresses the dramatic situation that, according to his estimations, is affecting the learning-teaching process in the Social Communication schools of the universities where these careers are taught, considering that “they have been out of date for a long time.” in relation to the technological demands of the moment.
In this sense, he finds a great contradiction in the fact that, despite the fact that modern trends point towards digitized information, the curricula do not contemplate the subjects corresponding to these technological demands imposed by virtual environments.
CNP support to union members
The general secretary of the National College of Journalists, Capital District section, highlights that in terms of assistance to members in Caracas, professional updating and training plans are developed; accompaniment and advice on legal matters, as well as health care, establishing agreements with some institutions, with which it is sought, as a whole, to alleviate the situation currently faced by communicators.
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