The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns attacks, demands accountability for those responsible

Location: Venezuela, Caracas
Date: September 13, 2023

Journalists Mishelle Agreda from Globovisión and Nelsy Delgado from Canal i physically assaulted, alongside reporters from Televen, El Martillo Venezuela, and Venevisión, at a political party event. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns acts of violence against journalists. We call on authorities to take immediate action and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

Journalists covering the 82nd-anniversary event of Democratic Action (AD), a Venezuelan social democratic and center-left political party established in 1941, were caught in the midst of a fight between party activists on September 13. 

The event was led by José Bernabé Gutiérrez, appointed by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) as the chairman of AD, currently heading the pro-government faction of the party. In July, Luis Eduardo Martínez, a deputy and activist of AD, announced his candidacy for the presidency within the party. This move has caused a division within the party ahead of the 2024 presidential elections in Venezuela.

The incident occurred at the party's headquarters in El Paraíso, Caracas. As the altercation unfolded, journalists endured physical aggression, including pushes and blows.

Reporter Manuel Da Silva from Televen said they approached the stage after Gutiérrez's speech to obtain his statements. Da Silva was pushed by a group that had just arrived. Andrés Díaz from Venevisión was struck on the side. Díaz clarified the blow was not intentionally aimed at him.

Despite the journalists' appeals for calm during the chaos, a group of approximately 15 to 20 individuals persisted in their scuffle. Da Silva emphasized that following the incident, he urged both sides to avoid such occurrences and that the press should be respected. In response, the group apologized and attributed the situation to "the commotion" that had unfolded.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the attacks journalists endured during the altercation between AD supporters. We urge political parties and those involved in such incidents to take immediate action to ensure the safety of the press and all individuals attending these gatherings. Creating an environment where journalists can perform their duties without fear of violence or intimidation is crucial.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.