JOURNALISTS, STUDENTS COMMEMORATE "DAY OF THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001306

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2031
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI VE
SUBJECT: JOURNALISTS, STUDENTS COMMEMORATE "DAY OF THE
JOURNALIST"


Classified By: Political Counselor, Robert R. Downes
for Reason 1.4(d).


1. (SBU) Tens of thousands of Venezuelans participated in
peaceful demonstrations nationwide on June 27 to commemorate
the "Day of the Journalist" and to mark the one-month
anniversary of the BRV-imposed shutdown of Radio Caracas
Television (RCTV). In Caracas, the National Press Workers'
Union organized a sizable demonstration from the "House of
the Journalist" to the former headquarters of RCTV. Students
from the various city universities participated in the day's
activities as well. Many, however, joined the march at
varying places and times as final exams were being
administered, the students told the local media. Before
joining the larger demonstration to RCTV, students from the
National Journalism College marched to the Apostolic
Nunciature to express their support for University of the
Andes student leader Nixon Moreno, who is currently seeking
asylum following BRV threats on his life. Political parties
also made their presence felt at the event. Zulia state
Governor and leader of opposition party Un Nuevo Tiempo
Manuel Rosales and party members joined Primero Justicia and
Bandera Roja in the demonstration. The peaceful march was
temporarily interrupted by a group of Chavistas who crossed
the security barrier and allegedly attacked the marchers.
The Metropolitan Police removed the attacking group and the
march continued to RCTV. Coverage of the event was sparse
and uneven as only opposition media outlet Globovision
carried the demonstrations live.


2. (SBU) Similar pro-democracy activities were organized in
other major cities. In San Cristobal, journalists and
students marched to local radio and newspaper stations in
support of freedom of expression. In Merida and Maracaibo,
journalists protested the BRV's decision to revoke RCTV's
broadcasting license and the government's ongoing harassment
of independent journalists and media outlets. Student
protests were also reported in Ciudad Guyana and Puerto
Ordaz.


3. (SBU) Separately, a much smaller pro-government group
called Journalists for Truth held a rally at Plaza Bolivar.
The event was presided over by former Vice President Jose
Vicente Rangel and National Assembly Second Vice President
Desiree Santos Amaral to also mark the "Day of the
Journalist." Rangel dismissed the pro-RCTV demonstrators by
saying they were "condemned to failure."


4. (C) Comment. A month after RCTV's closure, supporters of
freedom of expression continue to be able to mobilize
substantial numbers of people to protest the government's
action. Interestingly, the horns, noisemakers, and speakers
that have characterized the recent pro-democracy marches were
noticeably absent from the June 27 activities. Event
coordinators called on participants to "reflect" on the BRV
attacks on the media, a concept that appears to have
resonated with the demonstrators. End Comment.

BROWNFIELD