The protests and the crises that followed the decision of the Venezuelan Supreme Court (TSJ) to suspend the powers of the National Assembly on Wednesday, March 29, have once again left the press in its most vulnerable position: security forces have assaulted reporters covering the protests, according to reports.
Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) has ordered the suspension of CNN en Español and has kicked the network out of the country. Additionally, Andrés Eloy Méndez González, director general of the entity, said on Feb. 16 that the network will also be blocked on the internet.
Journalist Leandro Stoliar of Rede Record, who was detained in Venezuela while reporting on allegations of corruption, said he was treated "as a prisoner, a criminal" during the 30 hours he was detained. Stoliar said the press is not free to work in the country, where "information is a crime."
Venezuelan authorities deported Spanish freelance journalist Aitor Sáez ahead of protests planned for Jan. 23, continuing a pattern of treatment towards international journalists prior to mass demonstrations.
The dean of the Venezuelan press will be able to circulate its printed version for approximately three more weeks, starting this Thursday, Jan. 12. However, for the owners of the newspaper and its more than 180 workers, the uncertainty remains as to whether Ceam will authorize them to buy another batch of newsprint that will allow them to continue producing and publishing their print edition without interruption.
Investigative journalism site Armando.info, which is based in Venezuela, is inviting journalists to propose stories on issues that are largely uncovered.
Currently, at least 250 journalists worldwide have been detained in relation to their reporting work, according to recent reports by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and international nonprofit Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
After several years of joining forces, the “Rebel Alliance” took another step forward in its struggle to survive the forces of the dark side.
Ana Julia Jatar shared a photo of her brother Braulio 82 days after he was first imprisoned in Venezuela. His face is gaunt, his once full head of silver hair is shaven and he wears a sad expression on his face.
International organization Chicas Podererosas (Powerful Girls) recently launched its Venezuelan chapter with a workshop on analysis and programming, as well as a “hackathon” of public data.
In 2001, American photojournalist Leslie Mazoch landed her dream job at the Associated Press (AP), one of the most well-known, international wire services. She moved to Venezuela to begin her career where for the next six years she would photograph financial, political and social issues in the Latin American country.
Covering protests, photographing food lines or taking video inside a hospital can be risky for journalists working in Venezuela today. Various reporters and photojournalists working in the country have been subjected to temporary and prolonged detentions in the process of carrying out their jobs in recent months.