May 5th

Venezuela joins the list of countries with poor press freedom
The conditions to practice journalism and press freedom have worsened in 11 Latin American countries in 2007, according to the first report of the Observatory in Defense of Freedom of Expression, promoted by UNESCO Chair in Communications, at Malaga University.

The most dramatic revelation of such deterioration is the murder of 18 communications professionals last year, according to the numbers provided by the Federation of Journalists in Latin America and the Caribbean (FEPALC) and included in the report. The paper highlights that there are other reasons to reach barely hopeful conclusions, Efe quoted.

Reasons include the gradual monopolization of the media in Venezuela, the government use of advertising for political purposes in Argentina, or the dangerous state of affairs imposed by Colombian guerillas and drug trafficking in Mexico.

Journalist Leocenis García taken to Tocuyito prison
Journalist Leocenis García and his two companions were transferred on Monday morning to Tocuyito prison, in north-central Carabobo state.

On Saturday, García was arrested and taken to the head office of the Police Motorcycle Brigade of Naguagua for breaking in and causing damages to private property, as well as for the illegal possession of arms.

Attorney Fabián Chacón stated that his client, along with his two companions, was mistreated and tortured.

The journalist's father claimed that the situation his son is going through is a result of manipulations and held Carabobo state governor Luis Felipe Acosta Carlez responsible for anything that might happen to his son.

May 6th

Claims of impunity for assailants of the press
Not one single individual involved in 126 cases of threats, aggressions, attacks, or harassment against journalists, photographers, cameramen, and news media in Venezuela in 2007 has been either prosecuted or punished by Venezuelan authorities, according to non-governmental organization Espacio Público. 

Carlos Correa, the chair of Espacio Público, rejected the situation on Monday, when submitting at Ateneo de Caracas an annual report on the status of freedom of expression in Venezuela.

"We have no record of any punishment, not even administratively, against any official. Perhaps it has happened and no data have been supplied. However, it would be peculiar, because journalists would be ready to tell that some official was punished," said Correa.

Regarding the situation in previous years, he stated that "a total of two or three cases, which got through the investigation phase, have been reported during 2002-2007. However, most of aggressions have not gotten that far." 

Inter American Court hears Globovisión case
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights of the Organization of American States (OAS) will start on Wednesday a two-day hearing for a claim filed against the Venezuelan government by the employees of private TV news channel Globovisión.

A spokesman of the Court seated in Costa Rica on Tuesday told Efe that during the public hearing judges will hear the version of witnesses, the alleged victims, the plaintiff and the state attorneys.

The case, Gabriela Perozo vs. Venezuela, will be reviewed within the framework of a regular session held by the Court on May 2-9 in San José and including a number of private hearings linked with other cases.

The claim is related to the alleged government chasing of the TV channel. During the proceeding, the parties will provide their final allegations on the grounds and their estimates on an eventual indemnification and court expenses.

May 8th

Inter-American Court asked to punish Globovisión's assailants
Venezuelan private news TV channel Globovisión requested punishment for its assailants and increased guarantees from the Venezuelan government to practice journalism freely, during a hearing at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Organization of American States (OAS). The proceeding is aimed at reporting attacks and assaults against 44 journalists, cameramen, and executives of the TV station. 

On Wednesday, before justices Cecilia Medina (chairwoman), Sergio Ramírez, Margarett May, Manuel Ventura, Leonardo Franco, Rhadys Abreu, and Diego García, journalists Ana Karina Villalba and Gabriela Perozo described the attacks against them by Chávez's supporters over the last few years while exercising journalism.

Perozo told the justices she and a camaraman were insulted by Hugo Chávez's advocates when covering an opposition rally.

May 9th

Venezuela rails on the Inter-American Human Rights Court and Commission 
Attacking the victims, informers and fact-finders was the defense strategy used by Venezuela in a hearing at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the attacks and harassment of 44 journalists, cameraman, and directors of private news channel Globovisión.

Venezuela's agent before Inter-American organizations Germán Saltrón accused the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of being "partial," AP and Efe stated.

The Inter-American organization, based in Washington, stated that the Venezuelan government had not taken the measures necessary to prevent persecutions against journalists. Consequently, it decided to sue the Venezuelan government before the Inter-American court.