Reply #73: The press is not free in Venezuela

[Little Tich]

according to www.freedomhouse.org. Their map of press freedom 2010 shows Venezuela as being not free. The rating is 75, the second highest in the Americas. Only Cuba has a higher higher of 93. Obviously a low rating is good, eg the US has a rating of 18.

"Media freedom declined in Venezuela in 2009 due to increased legal harassment. The authorities suppressed political opposition in the media through harsh regulation of privately owned broadcast channels. While freedoms of speech and the press are constitutionally guaranteed, the 2004 Law of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television contains vaguely worded restrictions that can be used to severely limit these freedoms. Criminal statutes assign hefty fines and long prison terms for “offending” or “denigrating” the authorities. Since 2005, defamation of the president has been punishable by 6 to 30 months in prison, while offending lower-ranking officials carries lighter punishments. Individuals can also sue the press for “public disdain” or “hatred.”"

http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=251&year=2010