VENEZUELAN ATTACKS ON PRESS CONTINUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CARACAS 002272 SIPDIS SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2031 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM VE SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN ATTACKS ON PRESS CONTINUE REF: A. CARACAS 2005 ¶B. CARACAS 1909 ¶C. CARACAS 1768 ¶D. CARACAS 1544 CARACAS 00002272 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Robert Downes, Acting DCM, for Reason 1.4(b). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) This cable is the next in a series of updates on Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) harassment of and limitations on the freedom of press. The BRV uses the courts, government media outlets, regulations and verbal threats to create not only a system of government-imposed censorship, but also media self-censorship. Topics addressed in this update include: - The BRV refuses to meet with the Inter American Press Society (SIP) - Journalists attacked in Carabobo - Court rules that media responsible for "harm" - MVR Deputy Romelia Matute proposes sanctions against programming disrespectful to women - OAS Special Rapporteur on Press Freedom letter - Governor of Anzoategui goes after "El Tiempo"; sentence issued in Guarico governor defamation case - Maturin Mayor Numa Rojas continues to protest against the media - Sentencing of Journalist Henry Crespo END SUMMARY BRV SHUNS FREEDOM OF PRESS DELEGATION -------------- ¶2. (C) The Inter American Press Society's (SIP) visit to Venezuela July 17-19 drew boos from the BRV. In town to investigate increasing reports of crackdowns on the media, SIP requested meetings with various government officials but were answered with insults (such as: SIP = Inter American Press Toads) and adamant declarations that freedom of expression was alive and well in Venezuela. Before leaving Venezuela after their three-day look into harassment of journalists and media outlets, SIP held a press conference July 19 announcing that in Venezuela there exists a national strategy to limit freedoms of the press and expression. Representatives of that organization pointed out that the ideals of Bolivar (oft-cited in Chavista rhetoric) include respect for the freedom of expression, and that not only did the BRV place limits on journalism but on the broader rights to inform and be informed. SIP found that the BRV's efforts revolve around the creation of a culture of self-censorship, but they opined that the Venezuelan media has so far not fallen prey. Finally, SIP highlighted the Correo del Caroni case (see reftels) as emblematic of the problem of persecution and judicial harassment of journalists and the media. ¶3. (U) President of SIP and Director of the Washington Post, Diana Daniels, issued even stronger language in a public letter directed to President Chavez a week after her return from Venezuela. Ms. Daniels writes to Chavez that all he accomplishes with his attacks on the media is the provocation of questions about what it is he could be trying to hide. She also criticized the absolute refusal of the BRV to meet with SIP as behavior akin to a childish temper tantrum, and she denounced the Venezuelan constitution as containing vague language on what types of information are protected by the freedoms of the press and information. JOURNALISTS ATTACKED CARACAS 00002272 002.2 OF 003 -------------- ¶4. (U) On July 26, a group of people alleged to be affiliated with local politicians assaulted two journalists at work at the offices of El Carabobeno, a newspaper in Carabobo State. The attack only ceased upon the arrival of the National Guard. (Note: To date, this story has not gathered national or international attention beyond the initial reporting of the incident.) COURT RULING -------------- ¶5. (U) In a defamation case filed against a Nueva Esparta newspaper, the Supreme Court ruled that the media can be held responsible for damages caused by its publications and that journalists should not have free rein to issue opinions and statements that could cause harm. Constitutionalists and human rights activists worry that the wording of this particular decision is overly broad, that it demands that media outlets censor their reports and that it will in turn further promote self-censorship. PROMOTING WOMEN'S RIGHTS? -------------- ¶6. (C) The National Assembly is considering a new bill proposed by MVR Deputy Romelia Matute that would provide for sanctions and suspensions of broadcasting rights to media outlets that air messages that are degrading to women. (Note: Much like the controversial Morality Laws passed in early 2005, this bill, as we understand it, provides no guidelines for its application or standards for its enforcement. While the BRV will spin this law to appear to be a victory for Venezuelan women, it will more likely be used as another BRV tool to stifle independent media.) OAS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR -------------- ¶7. (U) President Chavez's decision to allow a review of the granting of licenses to television stations drew a response from the OAS's Special Rapporteur on Press Freedom. In a letter sent to the Minister of Foreign Relations in early July, the OAS recognized that Venezuelan authorities do maintain the right to review licenses. However, it reminded Chavez that the Interamerican Convention on Human Rights restricts governments from abusing official control mechanisms for purposes of curbing press freedom. It also requested that Venezuela make periodic reports to the OAS pertaining to their licensing review process. TWO ANGRY GOVERNORS -------------- ¶8. (U) Governor of Anzoategui State, Tarek William Saab, used his July 6 radio show to denounce unfavorable reporting by daily El Tiempo on the state's health care system, especially in regards to an infant's contraction of HIV via a blood transfusion. Governor Saab reminded his listeners that this media outlet has always been anti-Chavez and opposed to changes brought by the Bolivarian Revolution. Meanwhile, an Appeals Court on July 13 sentenced journalist Henry Crespo to one year and four months in prison for defaming the governor of Guarico, Eduardo Manuitt. In the newspaper, Las Verdades de Miguel (Miguel's Truths),Crespo had implied that Manuitt had a police record. MAYOR'S PROTEST -------------- ¶9. (U) El Nacional reported on July 11 that Chavista mayor of Maturin (Monagas State),Numa Rojas, continues to berate the media on his weekly radio show, and he turned words into CARACAS 00002272 003.2 OF 003 action when he organized a protest in front of the offices of the newspaper, La Prensa de Monagas. The mayor's campaign against the local newspapers began when his girlfriend's daughter was charged with irregularities having to do with her role as president of the Bolivarian Women's House of Maturin, resulting in media coverage portraying Rojas as a crook. In addition to accusations that the media is conspiring against him, he called upon the community to invade the property of one newspaper owner, whose farm was being investigated by the Agriculture Commission of the MVR (Movimiento Quinta Republica - President Chavez's party). COMMENT -------------- ¶10. (C) Attacks against members of the press continue, and repression of the media and its reporting remains a serious problem. While the threat of bodily harm and incarceration is real, it is used most effectively for intimidation. Regulation of the media and its activities continues to take the form of nebulous language that leaves vague and overly broad the mechanisms of enforcement. Name-calling by the BRV, such as in the case of SIP, and physical assaults, such as those in Carabobo, suggest that the government's tactics for harassing the media cover a broad spectrum - from the juvenile to the truly dangerous. BROWNFIELD