Journalists denounce increased “repression” against media after elections

Caracas, Aug 16 (EFE).- The National College of Journalists (CNP) of Venezuela On Friday, the government denounced an increase in “repression” against the media and press workers following the presidential elections of July 28, in which electoral authorities declared Nicolás Maduro the winner.

“With great alarm, the national board of directors of the National College of Journalists raises its voice in protest against the growing repression of the media and our colleagues that has been generated since July 29,” it said in a statement published in X.

Press release. National College of Journalists rejects the increase in censorship following the July 28 elections pic.twitter.com/dg5uHuDDF7

— cnpven (@cnpven) August 16, 2024

The CNP maintained that In recent weeks, a “brutal escalation and systematic repression” has been unleashed against journalists, photojournalists and photographers, as well as against any citizen who “dares to dissent from the official narrative regarding the election results.”

“Since the post-election protests, there have been 88 cases of violations of freedom of expression, ranging from arrests of citizens, journalists, media workers, expulsion of journalists and blocking of media outlets, further accentuating censorship in the media,” he added.

On August 7, the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) reported that four journalists were charged in Venezuela with the crime of “terrorism” after being detained during protests against the official result of the presidential elections.

Through X, the union warned of an “illegal and arbitrary use of anti-terrorism laws (…), especially against journalists and photojournalists detained during post-election protests.”

On August 14, the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) rejected the accusation of this crime and condemned the increase in arbitrary arrests, censorship and blockades against the press in the Caribbean nation.

According to the Venezuelan government, more than 2,400 people have been arrested in the context of the protests that erupted after the elections on July 28, in which, according to the Prosecutor’s Office, 25 deaths were recorded.