Freedom of Speech and Press in Venezuela: In Danger of Disappearing

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An awful reality, the freedom of speech and press in Venezuela is in danger of disappearing. In Venezuela, if someone has a different opinion of the President of the country, Hugo Chavez, could be penalized. Can the opposition movements, including student force, change this current reality? What can the common citizens do against the government when every day it is capable of setting down more severe restrictions to silence the press? Should the opposition parties keep fighting as they have been for the last 10 years?

In the last 5 to 6 years, the government has been able to control the independence of the media with radical and unconstitutional restrictions. It has been one event followed by others, such as the closure of Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV), and the intention to do the same to Globovision, both are main private TV channels in the country, the closure of more than 50 radio stations, the constant violence against journalists and the impunity of which Chavez followers enjoy, the developed penal trials against journalists, defenders of human rights, or even public officials that criticize the government.

Through the years, Chavez government opposition movements and student force have became stronger and gained support from many national and international non-government organizations interested in the Venezuela crisis, therefore, even if it seems impossible, opposition movements, including student force and common-civil people should keep fighting for having freedom of speech and press.

In May 2007, RCTV was closed for the first time when the government decided not to renew the broadcast license and this popular and main TV channel was off the air after 53 years of continuous programming. Two months later, this pri...

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... state within it a non-ending government period.

Works Cited

El Universal, Dayly News.

Mar. 2010. HRW: Venezuela must end prosecutions of dissenters

Mar 2010. Venezuela's Parliament does not rule out Internet regulation

Jan. 2010. Closure of RCTV Internacional as reported on major news media worldwide

Jul. 2009. National Telecommunications Commission orders closure of 32 radio and two television stations

El Nacional

Nov. 2009. Hugo Chávez raising pressure on Globovision

Globovision

Mar. 2010. Fiscal General instó a la AN a elaborar normativa para regular el uso de internet

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0146551720090801. August 2009. Venezuela begins shutdown of 34 radio stations-Chavez says stations no longer belong to 'bourgeoisie

http://www.guardian.co.uk. Mar 2010. Sean Penn: Journalists who call Hugo Chávez a dictator should be jailed

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