Freedom of Expression
Press Release 92/03
SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION EXPRESSED HIS SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURE THAT LED TO THE SEIZURE OF EQUIPMENT BELONGING TO THE VENEZUELAN CHANNEL GLOBOVISIÓN
The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Eduardo Bertoni, expressed his serious concern about an administrative measure taken by the National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL, by its acronym in Spanish) of Venezuela , against the television channel Globovisión.
According to the information received by the Office of the Special Rapporteur, throughout the day today several functionaries of CONATEL seized transmission equipment in various different installations of the channel. The seizure was carried out as a precautionary measure in an administrative proceeding relating to the alleged unauthorized use of frequencies by that media.
Taking into account the severity of the measure, which could seriously restrict the informative labor of the channel, and given the recentness of these events, the Office of the Special Rapporteur will continue to observe the development of the situation.
Nevertheless, the Rapporteur emphasized that administrative proceedings should never be used to silence criticism and information and that, when extreme measures are adopted, it is necessary to ensure the full respect for the right to a defense.
The Special Rapporteur noted: "Principle 13 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the Commission is very clear when it states that direct or indirect pressures aimed at silencing the informative work of journalists are incompatible with freedom of expression."
Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression
Washington , D.C. , October 3, 2003 .