JournalistsQ Union Backs Down on Backing Chavez

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000456 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA DAS PDUDDY; WHA/PD (RUSSO, LEBENS); IIP (ADAMS); PA (WATNIK); R/PPR UNCLASSIFIED SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP PGOV PHUM KJUS PREL PA SUBJECT: JournalistsQ Union Backs Down on Backing Chavez REF: Asuncion 444 ¶1. Responding to a fierce backlash over its defense of Chavez decision not to renew RCTVQs license, the SPP reversed course on the communiqu issued May 29th (reftel). The majority of SPP members voted 6/1 to issue a new communiqu that rejects Qthe attack on press freedom. ¶2. The new communiqu issued 6/2 reads as follows: QAfter a long and ample debate of ideas about freedom of expression, the SPP membership considered it necessary to issue a statement which reflects the new institutional position of the JournalistsQ Union. In that sense, the plenary session of the membership of the Union considers the denial of RCTVQs license a threat to freedom of the press and expresses solidarity with the affected Venezuelan colleagues. FITZPATRICK