Following the switch-off of Caracol and RCN last week, Venezuela has now closed down two more radio stations, continuing its crusade against press freedom, according to the country’s union of journalists.
The Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Prensa en Venezuela says that at least 49 media outlets (from local to nationwide companies) have been closed during 2017, following orders from the national telecom authority, Conatel.Three of these are TV stations, namely Colombia’s Caracol and RCN and CNN’s Spanish-language feed, although El Tiempo and Todo Noticias have also been reported to have been switched off this year.
The rest of the censored media are radio stations, according to the union.
While international, and in particular Latin American, media have recently been increasing pressure on Conatel’s censorship, a number of personalities have shown support.
In an article published through Venezuela’s official news agency, Fernando Buen Abad Domínguez, political and communications and vice chancellor of Mexico’s Universidad Abierta, defended Conatel’s decision about RCN and Caracol TV.
“RCN and Caracol’s exit of Venezuela’s broadcasting scenario is a decision that should have been made long ago,” said Domínguez, who believes that some media have gone too far on freedom of speech, criticising the Government with no reason and trying to manipulate the news.
