IFEX
Source: Freedom House
(Freedom House/IFEX) - The blocking of the online newspaper El Diario de Cuba
signals a troubling trend toward increased internet censorship in
Venezuela. Freedom House condemns this censorship and calls on the
Venezuelan government to adhere to its international commitments to
protect press freedom and access to information, including on the
internet.
Beginning January 14th, a high number of internet users of
state-owned and private telecommunication company CANTV were denied
access to El Diario de Cuba's site. The blocking followed the
website's publication of a number of stories on President Chavez's
health. Only a few days before the access issues, El Diario de Cuba's
website visitor access reached a peak of 68,000 visits from Venezuela.
By Monday, the number had fallen sharply indicating an access problem.
“Blocking access to internet sites threatens the fundamental right
of access to information in a country where press freedom and freedom of
expression are already constrained,” said Viviana Giacaman, director
for Latin America Programs at Freedom House. “We urge the
telecommunication companies to correct this issue and allow unrestricted
and immediate access to Diario de Cuba by their users.”
The state-owned telecommunication company CANTV, which accounts for
80% of internet users, has failed to provide an explanation for the
problems regarding access to Diario de Cuba website. Many
experts and organizations have called on the telecommunications
authorities to lift the ban since the decision was made without any
administrative or judicial proceeding.
Venezuela is ranked Partly Free in the Freedom in the World 2013,
Freedom House's survey of political rights and civil liberties, Partly
Free in the Freedom of the Net 2012, and Not Free in Freedom of the
Press 2012.