RSF protests new order for house arrest of daily’s editor
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Miguel Useche, president of the Tenth Court of Appeals of the Metropolitan Area of Caracas Criminal Division, RSF protested “the order for the house arrest of Pablo Lopez Ulacio, editor of ‘La Razon’ weekly”. RSF asked the judge to ensure that this measure is annulled. Recalling that RSF “disapproves […]
CPJ protests criminal defamation charges brought against weekly
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 17 July 2000 letter to President Hugo Chávez Frías, CPJ expressed its concern over the criminal defamation charges being brought against the weekly “La Razon” for reporting on alleged irregularities in bidding on government contracts and at state auctions. CPJ strongly objected to the weekly’s being prohibited from publishing information related […]
Weekly’s editor under house arrest
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Attorney General Javier Elichiguerra Naranjo, RSF protested the house arrest of Pablo Lopez Ulacio, editor of the weekly “La Razon”, and the order which prohibits him from publishing information about Multinational Insurance (Multinacional de Seguros), an insurance company which brought an action for defamation against the weekly. The organisation […]
Venezuelan press group joins WAN
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: Paris, 31 May 2000 For immediate release Venezuelan Press Group Joins World Association of Newspapers The Venezuelan Publishers Association — the Bloque de Prensa Venezolano — has joined the World Association of Newspapers at a critical time for press freedom in the South American country, WAN […]
Journalists protest mistreatment of the press, shutdown of journalist’s programme
(IFJ/IFEX) – On Thursday 4 May 2000, the Agence France-Press AFP news agency reported that hundreds of journalists held a march through the streets of downtown Caracas. The demonstration was held to protest the abusive treatment of the press by President Hugo Chávez. It was also held to show solidarity with journalist and producer Napoleon […]
President criticises news media
The following is a 21 March 2000 IAPA press release: VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT’S REMARKS RAISE CONCERN MIAMI, Florida (Mar. 21) – The Inter American Press Association told Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez today that it was concerned about remarks he made criticizing news media in his country. The association made the protest in a letter to Chávez […]
WAN and RSF condemn irregularities in the trial of two journalists
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an 8 March 2000 WAN and RSF press release: WAN and RSF condemn the numerous irregularities which characterise the trial of two journalists In two letters to Attorney General Javier Elechiguerra and President of the Judiciary’s Structural Commission Manuel Quijada, respectively, the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and RSF expressed […]
Daily’s offices target of failed bomb attack
In a letter to Minister for International Relations and Justice José Ignacio Arcaya, Robert Ménard, RSF’s secretary-general, states that he is “extremely concerned over the attempted attack against the El Universal daily premises.” “Our organisation welcomes the initiation of an investigation into the event,” said Ménard before asking the minister to “take appropriate measures to […]
RSF asks authorities to stop further threats to free expression
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Internal Relations and Justice José Ignacio Arcaya, Robert Ménard, RSF’s secretary-general, “protested the pressure exercised against the Radio Guadalupana radio station, located in the city of Coro, Falcon state.” In the letter, the organisation said it “believes that the Bureau of Military Intelligenceâs (Direccion de Inteligencia Militar, […]
New constitution threatens Venezuelans’ right to freedom of information
(RSF/IFEX) – On 12 November 1999, the National Constituent Assembly (Asamblea Nacional Constituyente, ANC) ratified, on the second reading, and in all of its terms, Article 59 of the draft constitution which is slated to be debated in a referendum. The article in question states that “everyone has the right to timely, truthful, impartial and […]
CPJ concerned by continued inclusion of controversial provision in draft constitution
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is expressing its deep concern about the continued inclusion of a provision guaranteeing the right to “timely, truthful, and impartial information” in the draft constitution of Venezuela. This provision violates international standards for freedom of expression. **Updates IFEX alerts of 26 October and 5 October 1999** The National Constituent Assembly, which was […]
New constitutional article threatens press freedom
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Luis Miquilena, president of the National Constituent Assembly (Asamblea Nacional Constituyente, ANC), Robert Ménard, RSF’s secretary-general, “protests the National Constituent Assembly’s approval of an article that threatens press freedom.” The international organisation asks the ANC president “to use his influence such that Article 59 is rejected and the rights […]
Constitutional reform proposal threatens press freedom
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Luis Miquilena, the president of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC), Robert Ménard, RSF’s secretary-general, “(is expressing) his concern over the threat posed to press freedom by a number of articles being debated for inclusion in the new constitution.” Because “these articles allow for the control of information and possibly […]
Two “El Diario” journalists interrogated; other journalists summonsed
On 8 June Vladimir Gessen and Enrique Rondon, editors of the daily “El Diario de Caracas”, were interrogated for two hours by members of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DIM), about a news report quoting former 1992 coup leader Hugo Chavez. In the news report, Chavez denounced the existence of an alleged conspiracy to take […]