Access to the websites of Venezuelan media outlets TalCual, Runrunes, and El Estímulo, along with the civil association Medianálisis, was blocked by major internet service providers. This action was reported by the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) on Monday.
According to the SNTP, three media outlets were rendered inaccessible on July 22 by leading Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Venezuela, including Diario TalCual, El Estímulo, and Runrunes. The organization described this as an escalation against press freedom and freedom of expression, occurring just six days before the presidential elections.
Additionally, Medianálisis, another critical source for information, faced similar access issues.
Victor Amaya, the director of TalCual, shared with EFE that the site’s blockage began around 12:15 PM local time and involved six internet providers, including the state-owned Cantv. He noted that this is the first time TalCual’s website has been blocked and speculated that the government’s decision might relate to the presidential campaign rhetoric by dictator Nicolás Maduro, who suggested that media outlets might be orchestrating some form of manipulative media operations against him while simultaneously criminalizing the press.
TalCual has an agreement with the fact-checking platform Espaja, which itself was blocked on July 4, 2023. Amaya remarked that it might be troubling for a government that has decided to restrict access to one site to see its content replicated elsewhere.
Luis Ernesto Blanco, the editorial director of Runrunes, stated that their site has previously experienced similar blockages, typically coinciding with the release of investigative reports or special features. He acknowledged that the restrictions intensified for Runrunes on Monday. He emphasized that Venezuela has been witnessing a systematic policy aimed at limiting the informational space, not just for Runrunes but for many independent news outlets and even verification platforms.
The Ministry of Information and the state-run National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comments following the reported blockages.
Carlos Correa, director of the NGO Espacio Público, which monitors freedom of expression and whose own website was recently obstructed, described the situation as highly significant, especially in the electoral context. He stressed the importance of information during election processes to help people make informed decisions or manage any unexpected situations.
In response to the media blockages, the National Journalists’ Association expressed on their X account that such actions are detrimental to the atmosphere of peace, equality, and information necessary for elections.
For further insights on freedom of press issues in Venezuela, you can explore resources from organizations like Human Rights Watch or Reporters Without Borders.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/venezuela/2024/07/23/censura-en-venezuela-tres-portales-de-noticias-independientes-fueron-bloqueados-a-dias-de-la-eleccion-presidencial/
