Venezuela: Widespread Violations of Press Freedom Against Women Journalists Amid Essequibo Referendum

16 women journalists were obstructed on the day of the referendum

Location: Venezuela, Caracas
Date: December 3, 2023

During the consultative referendum on Essequibo on December 3, press freedom and information guarantees for journalists and media outlets were violated by members of the Plan República — a security force responsible for maintaining order during elections — on multiple occasions. IPYS Venezuela documented nine cases of press access restrictions, impacting a total of 30 journalists and one cameraman. Among those affected, 16 were women. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom stands firmly in support of the journalists who have been affected by these restrictions. We strongly condemn any form of censorship that undermines press freedom and the vital role of journalists in society. We call upon the Venezuelan government to take immediate and appropriate action to address this issue and ensure that those responsible for these acts are held accountable for their misconduct. Press freedom is a fundamental pillar of democracy, and it is crucial that journalists are able to carry out their work without fear of intimidation or obstruction.

During the consultative referendum rewrite on Essequibo, held on December 3, several instances of press freedom violations and breaches of information guarantees for journalists and media organizations were observed. These incidents involved officials from Plan República and the National Electoral Council (CNE). 

The referendum saw citizens of Venezuela vote against the International Court of Justice having authority over their ongoing territorial conflict with neighboring Guyana. Furthermore, they showed their backing for the creation of a new state in the Essequibo region. Despite the court's prohibition on Venezuela making any changes to the current situation in the area, President Nicolas Maduro's administration went ahead with a "consultative" referendum.

IPYS Venezuela,  an organization dedicated to promoting freedom of expression, documented a total of nine cases where press access was restricted, affecting 30 journalists and one cameraman. Among those impacted, 16 were women journalists.

In Bolívar state, journalists Jhoalys Siverio from Crónica.Uno and Correo del Caroní, Francesca Díaz from Correo del Caroní, and Daymar Corsi from Globovisión encountered obstacles while attempting to cover the voting ceremony of National Assembly deputy Rachid Yasbek. Plan República officials denied them access to the institution, resulting in the legislator having to leave the voting center in order to provide statements to the media.

Similar incidents occurred in other states. In Cojedes, a Plan República official barred journalists Pilar Guerra, from Qué Pasa Venezuela; Rosannin Mogollón, from Prensa Gobernación; Brigitte Gerdel, from Notitarde; and María Yasibit Bolívar, from Televen, from entering the Ligia Cadenas Alvarado Bolivarian Basic School voting center in Tinaquillo.

The restrictions on press access continued in Nueva Esparta, where the Plan República prohibited the entry of press teams from eight media outlets into a voting center. The reasons for the limitations were not explained by the military personnel.

In Amazonas, CNE officials and members of the Plan República prevented journalists from photographing the mayor of the Atures municipality, Yamilet Mirabal, during her vote. The officials claimed that photographing any space in the voting center was prohibited, despite the reporters arguing that Mirabal's participation was of public interest.

Access restrictions also affected reporters María Marcano and Génesis Carrera from Venevisión, Lisbeth Miquilena from Televen, Nelmary Salazar from Globovisión, Silvimar Campos from Venezuela Impact and What Happens in Venezuela, and Ana Carolina Arias from Confidential Report.

In the case of reporters from Venevisión and Globovisión, both channels had accreditation from the CNE. However, the military personnel present did not provide any explanation for the limitation imposed on their access.

During a press statement on December 3, Major General Félix Manuel Arnos, the commander of the Falcón Comprehensive Defense Operational Zone (ZODI), addressed the issue of journalists' access to voting centers. He stated that it is necessary for journalists to seek prior permission from the military entity and obtain authorization to enter electoral centers as a safeguard. However, he did not specify the specific document or resolution on which this requirement is based.

During the electoral simulation of the referendum on November 19, journalist Clara Chirinos, from the news program "Ciudad en Línea" on Más Network 90.9 FM station in Amazonas, reported an incident. She stated that the coordinator of the Unidad Educativa Félix Solano center in Puerto Ayacucho hindered her from fully exercising her journalistic duties. Chirinos intended to capture photographs of people voting when the campus official informed her that she could only take photos in specific areas designated by them.

Journalist Regina Freites, who works as a correspondent for Qué Pasa En Venezuela in the state of Sucre, experienced a distressing incident on November 30, as documented by CFWIJ. While attempting to cover the installation of tables for the consultative referendum at Simón Rodríguez high school, she was verbally attacked and intimidated by Plan República officials. These officials not only prohibited her from conducting her journalistic coverage but also compelled her to delete videos she had recorded.

These incidents of press access restrictions are a violation of press freedom and hinder the dissemination of news of public interest. In the context of an electoral event, transparency and plurality are crucial, and journalists should be able to carry out their work without hindrance. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom expresses its solidarity with all the affected women journalists and strongly condemns the arbitrary restrictions imposed by public officials, particularly those associated with the Republic Plan, against media professionals during the coverage of the consultative referendum on Essequibo. We emphasize the importance of journalistic independence and the public's right to access information. The harassment and intimidation of journalists not only violate press freedom but also obstruct the democratic process. Venezuelan authorities must take immediate and effective measures to safeguard journalists and uphold the principles of free and fair reporting.

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.