- The organization requested that the physical and professional integrity of communicators be protected, in addition to guaranteeing them access to truthful and timely information.
The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) demanded on July 4 that the Venezuelan State and political actors guarantee journalistic coverage during the electoral campaign for the presidential elections on July 28.
“In light of the incidents documented in previous proceedings and the most recent cases of persecution, prosecution and attacks against journalists, the STNP urges both political actors and state institutions to guarantee plural, broad, timely and safe coverage for journalists and the media,” the union wrote in a statement.
Among the demands of the SNTP is the safety of journalists, which is why the institution also asked that the physical and professional integrity of journalists be protected during election coverage.
“Authorities must act with diligence in the face of events that compromise security and prevent any type of aggression or intimidation,” they added.
They also asked the National Electoral Council (CNE), the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ombudsman to apply “exemplary” actions against those who violate “the right to information.”
“It is urgent that the justice bodies cease the recurrent practice of using criminal legislation to criminalize the work of journalists, in particular the Law against Hatred, for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance; and the Organic Law against Organized Crime and Financing of Terrorism,” says the document.
In relation to the candidates, the SNTP urged them to promote equally and with a guarantee of security the access to the guidelines, actors and electoral offer. They recalled that in previous events there were documented cases of aggressions against journalists by the candidates’ team and other people linked to the campaigns.
“Journalists are not political activists, they are a channel for the collective exercise of the right to information and freedom of expression,” the letter reads.
Ensuring information to the media
The Press Workers Union said it is essential to ensure access to accurate and timely information during this election campaign.
He also urged public and private media outlets to facilitate access to their platforms so that candidates can present their proposals and citizens can evaluate them.
“Citizens have the right to be informed in order to make decisions. We request that transparency be promoted in the dissemination of electoral information, avoiding manipulation or censorship. We demand that the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) cease administrative sanctions and/or acts of intimidation against television channels, radio stations and electronic media,” the statement said.
Closure of radio stations in Venezuela
According to the SNTP, Conatel has closed at least 150 radio stations in the last two years. 15 of these media outlets have been closed so far in 2024.
The journalists’ union also mentioned that several radio programmes have been taken off the air due to pressure from Conatel and other state bodies.
The SNTP said that these actions have intensified in the days leading up to the electoral campaign for the July 28 elections.
In the statement, the union urged national and international organizations, which will be in charge of observing the elections, to be alert to any “violation of the rights” of journalists and to make public complaints.
“Trust in the electoral process depends, to a large extent, on the safety of journalists and transparent access to information. As a profession and as a society, we must ensure democracy and free expression,” he added.
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.
Aggression and persecution against journalists in Venezuela
The National College of Journalists (CNP), Capital District section, reported through its X account that between January and May 2024, 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).
He added 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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2024-07-04 22:08:14