PRESS FREEDOM UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CARACAS 001432 SIPDIS SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM SCUL VE SUBJECT: PRESS FREEDOM UPDATE REF: A. CARACAS 01054 ¶B. CARACAS 01306 CARACAS 00001432 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DANIEL LAWTON FOR REASON 1.4 (D) ¶1. (SBU) This press freedom update outlines new and sustained efforts by the BRV to curtail freedom of expression in Venezuela. After removing Radio Caracas Television (RCTV) from public access television, the BRV has launched another round of attacks in an effort to damage the network's credibility. The government is taking similar actions against several other media outlets. The opposition-oriented press has responded by dismissing unsubstantiated BRV allegations of efforts to destabilize Chavez. Journalists have also organized sizable demonstrations in favor of freedom of expression, such as the ones held to mark the "Day of the Journalist." We expect President Chavez to continue employing a variety of mechanisms - legal, economic, judicial, and rhetorical - to harass the free press. Items in this report include RCTV and TVes updates and ongoing attacks on journalists and media outlets. End Summary. -------------- RCTV Goes Cable -------------- ¶2. (U) Radio Caracas Television (RCTV) began transmitting on July 16 some of its most popular entertainment and news programs via local cable providers. RCTV President Marciel Granier announced July 11 that the network has brokered deals with DirecTV, Inter, Net Uno, SuperCable, and Planet Cable after weeks of negotiations. Granier had previously alleged that the BRV was harassing prospective cable television providers into not signing agreements with RCTV. Granier assured RCTV supporters that the network's management would continue to challenge the BRV's decision to revoke its broadcasting license. ¶3. (U) The move to cable has reportedly cost RCTV close to USD 1 million due to expenses associated with the purchase of additional technical equipment. (Note: On May 26, the National Guard took physical control of RCTV's transmission towers following a Supreme Court ruling, allowing the telecommunications regulatory agency, CONATEL, to "temporarily" transfer the rights of the equipment to TVes. End Note.) RCTV resorted to transmitting some of its programs through YouTube and its Colombian affiliate station Caracol, following the BRV-imposed shutdown on May 28. -------------- RCTV to Pay Hefty Fine -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The tax collection agency, Seniat, notified RCTV on June 3 that it owed over USD 790,000 in back taxes, corresponding to fiscal years 2003-2006. The network acknowledged in a press release that it had received the invoice and stated it was in the process of reviewing its financial records. RCTV added that its accountants had identified troubling discrepancies in Seniat's application of the law. Seniat's notice came only two weeks after RCTV reportedly paid CONATEL over USD 300,000 for interest penalties dating back to 1999-2000. Prior to RCTV's closure, Seniat authorities insinuated to the media that RCTV might owe significant amounts in unpaid taxes but did not provide details. CONATEL and Seniat's aggressive collection efforts against RCTV are largely viewed part as the government's sustained efforts to discredit the network. -------------- TVes: Growing Pains -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The newest government-sponsored television station, TVes, which replaced RCTV, has been plagued by a host of problems, including copyright violations, technical difficulties, and low ratings, since its inauguration. On June 4, less than a week after TVes first aired, a Miami-based production company, Wide Angle, sent a letter to Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez informing him that TVes was illegally broadcasting one of its products. Wide Angle requested that TVes cease transmitting the travel series "Destinations X" and that it remit payment for the episodes already aired. In a June 6 press release, TVes agreed to cease broadcasting the program. TVes claimed it had acquired the rights to broadcast "Destinations X" through CARACAS 00001432 002.2 OF 003 a local distributor. ¶6. (SBU) TVes' decision to fire its entire news division on July 2 does not bode well for the newly inaugurated station's "independence", either. According to media reports, eight journalists were dismissed for not complying with the station's mission objectives. President of TVes Lil Rodriguez argued that the contract journalists would be replaced with "independent" newscasters loyal to TVes. ¶7. (U) TVes' programming has also suffered from technical-based problems that could hinder its ability to build a loyal audience. TVes was initially issued exclusive rights to broadcast the regional Copa America soccer tournament, but its inability to transmit its signal nationwide led the BRV to distribute the rights to a dozen other networks. Venevision, for example, also aired the Copa and offered viewers sharper image quality than TVes. -------------- Venevision Feeling the Pressure -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Venevision, an independent network that has engaged in self-censorship to avoid skirmishes with the BRV, has recently become more critical of the government's attacks on freedom of expression. In a July 11 press conference, the President of Venevision Gustavo Cisneros argued that Venevision complied with all of the requirements to renew its concession, but was only granted a five-year broadcasting license. The network requested, and believed it would be granted, a 25-year concession. Venevision plans to appeal the decision. According to media analysts, a five-year license provides little incentive for Cisneros to invest more in the station. Cisneros announced changes to its news programming, saying the network would be more open to opposition and pro-government opinions. He lamented the polarized state of the media in Venezuela and called for a "balanced" press. -------------- "Noticiero Digital" Editor Threatened -------------- ¶9. (C) IO and POLOFF met July 9 with the former editor of the news website "Noticiero Digital" Roger Santodomingo to discuss his decision to leave the "Noticierio," following threats and the suspicious explosion of his vehicle. (Note: "Noticiero" is an on-line forum critical of the BRV. Its content is largely driven by readers' comments, a feature that makes the site hard to control. End Note.) Santodomingo has also been heavily criticized by "La Hojilla's" host Mario Silva for his editorial tendency and his participation in a USG International Visitor's (IV) program. Santodomingo resigned after threatening phone calls, emails, and letters made mention of his minor son's extra-curricular activities and other private details. The journalist recently petitioned the Human Rights Ombudsman's office to provide police protection for his family, but the request has not been approved. ¶10. (SBU) Santodomingo said his vehicle mysteriously caught on fire July 4 outside of his residence. Security forces have since ruled that the fire was an "accident" and attributed the blast to an electrical wiring problem. ¶11. (C) Santodomingo plans to continue working as a journalist in Venezuela and intends to press charges against Silva for defamation. He was particularly concerned about unfounded BRV allegations that IV participants are employees of the USG. IO assured Santodomingo that Embassy officials have denied these accusations in various forums. Santodomingo will be participating as planned in a Voice of America-sponsored training program in Bogota this month. -------------- Journalists and Media Outlets Under Attack -------------- ¶12. (U) In recent weeks, opposition and pro-government oriented journalists have come under attack: -- National Assembly deputy Alfredo Muga called for an investigation and the closure of the network Portugesa TV on July 13. Muga referred to the station as a wing of the "terrorist channel Globovision." He accused the network of being involved in a campaign of misinformation against the CARACAS 00001432 003.2 OF 003 government. -- The Attorney General's office requested June 18 that the weekly newspaper "La Razon" turn over the notes and documents its journalist Luis Felipe Colina used to publish the column "The Political Carrousel," which documents widespread corruption among BRV officials. "La Razon" declined the BRV's request citing the journalist's right to protect his sources. -- The government-funded regional news agency Telesur filed a complaint with Peruvian authorities on June 13 after Elena Rodriguez, a correspondent in Lima, received several threatening messages. International media watch dog Reporters without Borders condemned the threats that referred to Rodriguez as a "Prostitute of Chavez" and called for the "Death of Telesur." -------------- Demonstrations Mostly Over -------------- ¶13. (SBU) The university student-led, pro-freedom of expression demonstrations that took place during late May and throughout June to protest RCTV's closure have all but dissipated in the run-up to and during the summer recess. The last major marches were held nationwide on June 27 to mark the "Day of the Journalist" (ref B). Student leaders, however, are organizing a weekend of pro-democracy activities, including marches from July 20-22, to call attention to soaring crime rates and violence. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶14. (C) President Chavez continues to pay a domestic and international price for his decision to close RCTV. RCTV's management is doing its part to keep the network in the news. RCTV's return, albeit through cable, is significant considering widespread belief that the BRV attempted to sabotage the deals. However, it is unlikely that the government will reverse the decision to take RCTV off the publicly available airwaves. For example, while Granier continues to lobby for the network's return to public airwaves, neither Chavez nor other high-ranking officials consider that a topic for discussion. Similarly, Seniat's collection efforts against RCTV appear to be part of a BRV effort to diminish public support for the beleaguered network. ¶15. (C) Interestingly, Venevision is trying to regain credibility with the Venezuelan public, mainly the audience that used to watch RCTV. Regarding TVes, initial fears that it would assume a hard-line pro-government position are largely unfounded to date. In comparison to other BRV-supported stations, TVes appears to be more family-oriented and less polarized. Nevertheless, its myriad of problems make it largely unappealing. Lastly, independent media outlets and journalists continue to be victims of the BRV's disdain for a free and independent press. FRENCH