Posted on 06/12/2002 6:26:16 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
CARACAS, Venezuela - The International Federation of Journalists warned that both blatant media bias against President Hugo Chavez and the president's verbal threats against the press are threatening press freedoms in Venezuela.
"The media have got to take themselves out of the political process," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. "And it's quite clear that some sections of the media have been actively engaged in the political process in a way that is an impediment to free and independent journalism."
White added that Chavez's "strong, provocative and powerful attacks on media ... has created a difficult atmosphere of confrontation."
The IFJ, which represents 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries, was wrapping up a two-day visit to assess press freedoms in Venezuela in the wake of an April 12 failed coup.
Many Venezuelan television stations have come under fire for blacking out coverage of pro-Chavez protests during the coup. Newspapers supported a general strike that led up to the coup by refusing to publish on the day the stoppage began.
Chavez has long sparred with the Venezuelan press over what he calls bias coverage of his government. Journalists accuse Chavez of inciting his supporters to violence against reporters through his verbal attacks.
The ISF met with journalists, a representative of a newspaper publishers' association, and officials from the office of the People's Defender. It plans to release a more detailed report next week and sponsor a July forum for Venezuelan journalists to discuss media professionalism, White said.
Hugo Chavez has made it quite clear you are either with him and his Peaceful Revolution or you are his enemy. He's made this demand on the Catholic Church, the media, the banks and unions, and they have become the "enemy" for not embracing his Peaceful Revolution transforming Venezuela into Cuba II.
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