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Venezuela

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Campaigns and Advocacy

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IFJ says Chavez "war on media" is disastrous for democracy

At the end of a two-day visit, IFJ General Secretary Aidan White called on the government to end its campaign against independent journalism.

IPI completes press freedom mission to Venezuela

IPI conducted the mission to make an objective assessment of the current state of press freedom in the country.

Cuba and Venezuela called on to stop persecution of journalists

From Paris, IAPA and other international organizations urge Latin American governments to show greater respect for press freedom.

Global organisations call for release of jailed Cuban journalists, criticise Venezuelan press laws and media interference in Brazil

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 22 November 2006 IAPA press release:

From the Communiqué

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TV stations shut down for refusing to air President's speeches

The Venezuelan government ordered cable networks to stop carrying six TV stations on 24 January after the stations failed to air speeches by President Hugo Chávez, report IFEX members. Protests have erupted over the recent press freedom violations.

Chávez's war on media continues, say IFEX members

The Venezuelan authorities have revoked the broadcast licences of 34 private radio and TV stations and proposed new media laws that would expand pro-government media and suppress dissent, say Instituto Prensa y Sociedad (IPYS), the Inter American Press Association (IPYS), Observatorio Latinoamericano para la Libertad de Expresión (OLA) and other IFEX members.

Chávez ratchets up threats against media

President Hugo Chávez has stepped up his ongoing bullying campaign against critical media in the country. This time, he's demanded officials either take action against the media that "poison" Venezuela or resign.

JOURNALIST MURDERED; ANOTHER SURVIVES SHOOTING

A journalist who recently covered drug trafficking in Venezuela was assassinated last week, report the Institute for Press and Society (IPYS), the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and other IFEX members. He was slain just three days after the attempted murder of another journalist in southwestern Venezuela.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH DELEGATION EXPELLED

Two senior Human Rights Watch staff were expelled from Venezuela last week, just hours after presenting a report describing the deteriorating human rights situation under the government of President Hugo Chávez.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION MONTH IN VENEZUELA (18 SEPTEMBER-18 OCTOBER)

Even though the Inter-American Court of Human Rights declared freedom of information a fundamental human right last year, Venezuela still doesn't have a Freedom of Information Act. So for a month starting 18 September, the civil-society coalition Proacceso will celebrate Freedom of Information Month in Venezuela, under the motto "Don't let them take you for a ride. Make your right to information count" ("No dejes que te echen otro cuento. Haz valer tu derecho a la información").