MONTREAL, Oct. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Reporters Without Borders today welcomed the reaction of authorities that condemned an attack on a film crew from privately-owned Globovision by pro-government militant group "La Piedrita" while they were covering a demonstration. The same group launched an attack against the TV's headquarter on 22 September 2008 (See release of 23 September 2008). The militants attacked and tried to seize film equipment from the journalists during a demonstration on 10 October in the 23 de Enero district of the capital Caracas, bastion of "La Piedrita". Metropolitan police quickly intervened and the Communications and Information Minister, Andrés Izarra, publicly slammed the "political infantilism" of the militants. Interior and Justice Minister, Tarek El Aissami, also strongly condemned the attack.
Reporters Without Borders also welcomed the announcement yesterday by Andrés Izarra providing airtime for opposition candidates to regional elections on 23 November on the main public channel Venezolana de Television (VTV). Two days previously, the minister had however announced restrictions on official advertising with "putchist" media, an accusation regularly levelled at the daily El Nacional and Globovision.
For further information: Katherine Borlongan, Executive Director, Reporters Without Borders Canada, (514) 521-4111, rsfcanada@rsf.org
© CNW Group
