Censorship in Venezuela: Three independent news websites blocked days before presidential election

Access to the websites of Venezuelan media Just like that, Runruns And stimulusAs well as that Media Analysis of Civil SocietyBlocked by major internet service providers National Union of Press Workers (SNTP)

“This July 22 three media outlets were mainly blocked ISP (Internet Service Provider) Venezuela: TalCual newspaper, stimulus And Runruns. Six days before the presidential election, this is an escalation against freedom of press, expression and information“, he said SNTP In X

He also condemned the ban on accessing the website Media Analysis of Civil Society.

Director Just like that, Victor Amiyaexplained EFE At around 12:15 local time (16:15 GMT) this Monday, the website was blocked by six internet providers, including the state. cantv.

AmiyaThe website said that this is the first time Just like that Blocked, he pointed to several reasons for this decision, among them the presidential campaign speech, in which the dictator Nicolás MaduroThe candidate for re-election “talks about the media preparing some kind of media operation against him, while criminalizing the press, there may be a decision by a force to attack it.”

Likewise, he said Just like that There is a contract with the data verification site ShovelIt was blocked on July 4 to reflect its information.

“A government that has decided to block one page will find its contents appearing on another embarrassing.”under control.

Meanwhile, the editorial director of Runruns, Luis Ernesto BlancoI said EFE The media's website has already faced this type of ban in previous years, “in conjunction with the publication of investigative work and special reports.”

This Monday, he explained, the control over runruns was intensified.

“We've seen a policy of controlling the information space in Venezuela for years. It's not just runruns, but also many independent information websites and verification websites.”he added.

Ministry of Information and state National Telecommunication Authority (CONATEL) They did not immediately respond to requests for comment by the news agency. Reuters.

Carlos CorreaDirector of NGO Public spaceAn organization responsible for monitoring freedom of expression and its website were also blocked in recent days.This is undoubtedly a very serious fact given the electoral context.”

“Why is this serious? Basically, electoral processes require information so that people can make decisions or if there are any events,” was added Belt.

National College of Journalists He said in his account X Commenting on the media blockade, such an action “This does not help at all in the context of peace, equality and information to be had“In elections.

(With information from EFE and Reuters)