International Freedom of Expression Exchange: The global network for free expression
4 June 2003
JOURNALISTS CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE
Human Rights Watch has released a report calling on the Venezuelan government to appoint a special panel to investigate attacks on journalists, saying authorities are not doing enough to stem violence against the media. "Caught in the Crossfire: Freedom of Expression in Venezuela" concludes that Venezuela's justice system is failing to identify and punish those who attack and threaten journalists.
The report notes that both the government and private television networks are responsible for creating a polarised political situation that has negatively affected free expression. During the general strike from December 2002 and February 2003, private networks aired news and debate programs that were "extremely hostile" to the government while broadcasting hours of pro-strike propaganda free of charge, Human Rights Watch says.
On the other hand, president Hugo Chávez has launched an investigation into the country's private television networks, accusing them of violating broadcasting regulations during their coverage of the strike. Human Rights Watch says the regulations themselves violate international standards protecting free expression.
Meanwhile, a proposed law regulating the content of radio and television broadcasts poses an imminent threat to free expression, Human Rights Watch warns. Aimed ostensibly at protecting children from crude language, violence and sexual content, the draft law would impose stringent controls over broadcasts and subject adults to "restrictive and puritanical viewing standards," says Human Rights Watch.
Read the report: http://www.hrw.org/reports/2003/venezuela/
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