BAD NEWS: Familiar whipping boy for Chavez - the press

Houston Chronicle ^ | December 11, 2002 | staff

[Cincinatus' Wife]

As tensions mount in Venezuela amid a 2-week-old general strike against the government of President Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan Supreme Court has suspended operations. Sadly, the breakdown of order has led pro-Chávez thugs to a familiar whipping boy -- the press.

Scores of journalists have been attacked, and many injured, in recent days while attempting to report on the situation, say the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, the International Federation of Journalists and the Institute for Press and Society. The Inter American Press Association also has strongly condemned the wave of attacks.

"The incidents in the last few days confirm the low tolerance and lack of freedom of expression and of the press in Venezuela," said IAPA President Andrés García. García, director of the Mexican newspaper Novedades de Quintana Roo, said that on two occasions this year, international IAPA delegations that visited the country had warned of this climate of intolerance and lack of respect for press freedom.

On Dec. 3, security forces brutally attacked a group of journalists as they attempted to reach a protest march in Caracas. Diario 2001 photographer Fernando Malavé and José Avila, a technician for television channel CMT, were hit by rubber bullets. Malavé suffered a serious wound to his ribs, while three other journalists from Venevisión, Globovision and CMT were struck with machetes and kicked.

On Sunday, Chávez accused most of Venezuela's news media of waging a "terrorist and bloody war" against his government, and the wave of violence has continued.

Cesar Gaviria, secretary-general of the Organization of American States, condemned "such acts that put freedom of expression at grave risk" and urged Chávez to maintain order.

It is the very least that could be asked.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A worker of Globo vision television network checks her office after crowds destroyed the station in Maracaibo, December 10, 2002. Crowds loyal to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez surrounded television stations that they say support the opposition, even as bankers and gas employees joined oil workers in a general strike aimed at driving the leftist from power. (Mariana Bazo/Reuters)

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

[hchutch]

Somebody needs to deal with Chavez... and his parrot, too!