IAPA exacts identification and prosecution of journalists' assailants

The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) rebutted on Thursday the threats and attacks on journalists and media lately recorded in Venezuela. The association urged government authorities to "identify and try the individuals responsible as the only way" to prevent violence.

IAPA referred to multiple events, including the case of a group of journalists of Caracas-based daily newspaper El Universal. The team was the target of threats after a series of reports on the state of affairs in Venezuelan jails. The journalists were granted precautionary measures following a decision of the Attorney General Office.

The president of the IAPA Commission on Freedom of the Press and Information, Gustavo Mohme, expressed satisfaction for "the measure adopted by the Attorney General Office" to protect María Isoliett Iglesias, Deivis Ramírez, Tomás Ramírez González and Luis García.

"It is necessary to work on identification and prosecution of the individuals responsible, because administration of justice is the only way to prevent threats from turning into assailment and violence," recommended Mohme, the editor of Peruvian daily newspaper La República.

Mohme deems it necessary for the precautionary measures to stretch all of the assailed journalists.

IAPA also regretted the attacks on May 24 on journalists of the Public Media National System (SNMP), and other journalists who were "harassed" during the coverage of the election campaign of opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski.

In addition, Mohme rebutted the attack on daily newspaper Versión Final, based in western Zulia state. The newspaper head offices were the target of shooting last Sunday from a vehicle. There were no injuries.

Also in Zulia state, last May 28 an explosive device was thrown at the headquarters of daily newspaper Qué Pasa in Maracaibo, the capital city. The action caused minor damages in the façade.

Two days later, armed men shot at local Catatumbo TV channel.

According to local media, the site had 14 gunshots. No casualties were reported in either attack.