Human Rights Watch's 2012 World Report, released on Jan. 22, 2012, accuses the Venezuelan government of trying to control independent media and the judiciary in order to silence opposition voices, reported the website Uol.
Human Rights Watch's Communication Director Emma Daly told EFE that President Hugo Chávez's government shows "a policy of attacking the independent press with whatever law they can to silence opposition voices."
The NGO, expelled from Venezuela in 2008 for criticizing the government, said that the government systematically attacks freedom of expression, union activities, and the capacity for human rights defenders to act," according to AFP.
Chávez's government has a tense relationship with the press, punishing opposition media with closings, license suspensions, government pressure and court injunctions.
