- The SNTP denounced through its social networks intimidation actions against journalists and photographers covering the election day
The Press Workers Union (SNTP) denounced irregularities and impediments promoted by officials of the Plan República to allow coverage of the Venezuelan presidential elections on Sunday, July 28.
A monitoring carried out by the team of The newspaper documented at least 17 complaints, as of 6:00 pm on Sunday, from journalists and communicators who had problems documenting the election day.
The complaints range from being prevented from entering polling stations, even with accreditation from the National Electoral Council, to being expelled by officials and unknown persons. According to the reports, journalists were restricted from entering the premises on the condition that they not record or document the process.
The SNTP also denounced the case of the arrest of journalist Erika Rincón and cameraman Miguel Pachano, Orbita DiaryThe arrest, which lasted five hours, occurred after a drone flew over the San Antonio electoral center in El Tigre, Anzoátegui state.
“The journalist told SNTP that they were given all their belongings, except for the drone, which was confiscated. They were detained at the Urban Security Detachment (Desur) until they were released, after signing a document,” the agency reported.
Journalists who were allowed to enter the polling stations were photographed with their personal documents and the moment they were covering the election, according to the SNTP. Measures of intimidation and intimidation by allegedly armed individuals and members of red points were also reported.
A preliminary call for freedom of expression
Marco Ruiz, secretary general of the SNTP, asked the CNE in a public statement on July 25 to request that police and military officials who would be working on Sunday, July 28, respect and allow the work of journalists during the presidential elections.
The non-governmental organization (NGO) Espacio Público also called on Saturday, July 27, for the work of the media and journalists to bewas “protected” to allow access to the information.
On October 22, 2023, the SNTP denounced eight violations of freedom of expression and the right to information during the opposition primaries that took place that month.
The organization detailed, in a publication on its X account, that seven of the cases involved intimidation in preventing journalistic coverage during the elections.
“The cases of intimidation affected journalists and were the responsibility of civilians and alleged officials of security agencies who photographed the journalists,” the complaint read.
According to the institution, violations of freedom of expression during the electoral process occurred in the Capital District, Amazonas, Bolívar, Lara, Táchira, Sucre and Yaracuy.
For 2024, reports of violations of freedom of expression have continued. The National College of Journalists (CNP), Capital District section, reported through its X account that between January and May 2024, there were 69 attacks against journalists and media outlets in Venezuela.
In a report published on May 31, the CNP highlighted that the majority of attacks against press workers have been: intimidation (22 cases), and impediments to news coverage (6 cases).
The agency also warned that in the first five months of the year, the closure of 12 radio stations was reported, in addition to the removal of a television program and two radio programs from the air; the dismissal of a social communicator in a government entity and the removal of a channel from the subscription television schedule.
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2024-07-29 04:23:59
