Censorship in Venezuela

Censorship in Venezuela is ranked at 114th out of 169 countries according to Reporters without Borders.

The Law on Social Responsibility of Radio and Television (Ley de Responsabilidad de Radio y Television in Spanish) has stimulated debates on freedom of expression and journalism in the country. It was enforced in 2003 by the government regulating body, CONATEL (National Commission of Radio and Television) and involves a wide range of television and radio censorship on violent and sexual content. However, the law contains other articles that have been subject to deep political controversy. Government opposition claims that the Venezuelan government is attempting to enlarge its role in the control of broadcasts content through the bill, and accuse it of being curbing international freedom of expression standards, generating a chilling effect on media and self-censorship. According to the law, television or radio stations could be penalized for showing news coverage of internal conflicts and wars before 20.00hrs, "making it necessary for them to present a sanitized version of the news during the day" [Human Rights Watch, 2003 Annual Report] . Furthermore, "insult laws" as Human Rights Watch labels articles 115, 121 and 125 of the bill could result in open political censorship to freedom of speech. Blaming President Chavez or the Venezuelan government for the current bitter divisions in Venezuelan society, the bad economy, a sudden poverty growth and deaths in opposition demonstrations could result in an infraction of the law and therefore in strong penalizations (if the offense is "interpreted" or considered disrespectful towards legitimate institutions and authorities).

In May 2007, controversies on press freedom were further exacerbated since RCTV (Radio Caracas Television) came out of air. An article by Reporters Without Borders stated that "Reporters Without Borders condemns the decision of the Venezuela Supreme Court to rule an appeal by Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) against the loss of its license as "inadmissible". The appeal, lodged on 9 February 2007, was rejected on 18 May, putting a stop to any further debate. President Hugo Chávez said on 28 December 2006 that he would oppose renewal of the group's broadcast license, accusing the channel of having supported the 11 April 2002 coup attempt in which he was briefly overthrown. According to the government the license expired on 27 May 2007, a date contested by RCTV, which insists its license is valid until 2022. Without waiting for the 27 May or the Supreme Court's decision, Hugo Chávez on 11 May awarded RCTV's canal 2 frequency by decree to a new public service channel, Televisora Venezolana Social (TEVES)". [Reporters Without Borders (2007) press releases: Americas, "Supreme Court rules RCTV's appeal against loss of its license 'inadmissible'" available at http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=20218] This government action has fueled student demonstrations and contentious forms of political manifestations ever since.

ee also

*Freedom of speech by country

References