http://www.miamiher
Hemispheric press group says Venezuela harassing media
Posted on Sat, Mar. 29, 2008
By TYLER BRIDGES
tbridges@MiamiHeral
CARACAS -- The government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and its
followers continue to harass television, radio and newspaper reporters
who produce critical reports, a hemispheric press watchdog said
Saturday.
The Inter American Press Association reported that Venezuelan journalists
have been arrested and beaten while one newspaper was unable to publish
for three days last year because the government withheld the approvals
necessary to buy newsprint.
The press association also criticized governments and judges in other
countries, including the United States where judges have jailed
journalists who refused to identify their sources.
But given the locale of the group's mid-year meeting, Chávez was the
focus of attention.
The press association report cited a recent study showing that his
government controls 85 percent of the country's television stations. It
cited another study which reported that 69 percent of the programs on
government stations favored a referendum sought by Chavez on Dec. 2,
which would have greatly expanded his powers and given the state greater
control over the economy. Voters rejected the changes.
David Natera, who released the report on Venezuela and is owner of Correo
del Caroní in Bolívar state, said in an interview that the government
punished his newspaper's critical reporting by withholding approval to
import newsprint and the release of dollars to pay for it. The paper
could not be published for three days in December, he said.
Natera also said the telecommunications company CANTV, has withheld its
advertising dollars from the newspaper since Chávez nationalized it last
year.
Chávez has tried to blunt the anticipated criticisms this weekend by
organizing a forum against ''media terrorism'' two blocks from the press
association'
president.
The newspapers and television stations critical of the president ''report
half-truths,
Venezuelan people.''
The Chávez supporters protest outside of the press association'
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