Freedom of Expression
Press Release R62/19
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION EXPERTS OF THE UN AND THE IACHR
EXPRESS ALARM OVER EXPANSION OF CENSORSHIP MEASURES IN VENEZUELA
March
8, 2019
Washington:
The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, and
the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the IACHR, Edison Lanza,
raised alarm over censorship measures and blockings of platforms, social
networks and online media, as well as the serious restrictions of journalistic
coverage, by the authorities in Venezuela.
During
the development of the political and social crisis in Venezuela, various media
were blocked on platforms such as YouTube and Google, while users' access to
Facebook was intermittent. Also, at different times it was not possible to
access news portals through the internet.
During
the demonstrations and political events of recent weeks, the National
Television of Chile and Radio Caracol were blocked in the schedule of
the subscription channels by order of Conatel, the body that regulates the
media. The blocking of TV channels by subscription remains, including CNN and
several Colombian television channels.
High-profile
television and radio journalists reported that their programs were suspended or
that the licenses had been revoked, following pressure from the authorities.
The deportation of correspondents and foreign press teams has been a constant,
and includes the deportation of the Univision network team and its journalist
Jorge Ramos due to questions he made to Nicolás Maduro.
"We
are deeply concerned at the bleak situation for freedom of expression in
Venezuela, in particular the arrest and prosecution of journalists and bloggers
under the so-called "Anti-Hate Law," the experts said. The Law punishes
with harsh prison sentences expressions that fall under broadly defined wording
on hate speech, discrimination and terrorism.
The
experts call on the Venezuelan authorities to cease the measures of censorship
and blockings, in particular as used against independent media. "In addition
to being a fragrant violation of international law, this affects the right to
receive and disseminate information of the Venezuelan population at a critical
moment in their life as a society," said Kaye.
"The
idea that the State can pressure the media for editorial content, block access
to platforms and deport journalists is not typical of a democracy with freedom
of the press," said Lanza.
The Special Rapporteurs urge the
authorities to immediately release detained journalists, to cease the measures
of censorship, and to review the Anti-Hate Law
for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance. They urge the authorities to
refrain from excessive blocking and filtering of content and limit its requests
for takedowns to actual cases of incitement, meeting the requirements of
article 19(3) and article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights and 13 of the Inter-American Convention of Human Rights.