RSF condemns attacks on media ahead of election in Venezuela

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) rebuked on Friday the recent armed attacks on three media in Maracaibo, the capital of the western state of Zulia, four months before the presidential elections to be held next October 7, and made a series of emergency measures for journalists to do their job.

"Extreme polarization" ahead of the presidential elections next October 7 in Venezuela, where President Hugo Chávez is being challenged by former Miranda state governor Henrique Capriles, is hitting freedom of information and "restricts journalists' basic freedom of movement," EFE quoted.

In a statement, RSF acknowledged that the "recent attacks" are being investigated, but voiced concern about the "intensity of the violence."

In particular, RSF said that Catatumbo TV's coverage of the recent violence in Maracaibo' Sabaneta prison may have been the motive in its case.

The communiqué added that coverage of a wave of riots and violence in Venezuelan prisons "is thought to have been behind the anonymous threat that María Isoliett Iglesias of the daily El Universal received in 1 June, "warning" her that she would soon be the target of an "ambush."