MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Freedom of the press absent in Cuba and Venezuela

According to “Reporters without borders”, 53 journalists lost their lives while on duty in 2004, the highest number in the last ten years. During the first four months of 2005, 22 have been killed and 105 are jailed.

Freedom of the press inexistent in Cuba and frequently mocked in Colombia is "overall respected in the rest of the American continent" according to the Reporters document on the 15th International Freedom of the Press Day. However twelve journalists were killed in Latinamerica either while on duty or for expressing their views.

Cuba is the only country in the continent with imprisoned journalists, and even when seven were set free in 2004, 22 remain in jail. The report indicates that in Cuba political censorship is official policy and last year eleven journalists were attacked, eleven arrested and ten received death threats.

Freedom of the press is severely restricted by anti terrorism legislation and public disorder ordinances, and in extreme cases such as Venezuela, "the government encourages attacks on the media" points out the report.

In Venezuela several media organizations, both written and audiovisual have been closed by the government and President Hugo Chavez and his staff are protected from press reports scrutinizing their jobs and performance.

"Freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Venezuela have been curtailed with strong blows against democracy and governance", claims the Brazilian Newspapers Association adding that the recently approved Social Responsibility Bill for Radio and Television or better known as "gag bill" allows the government to control media programs, contents and timetables.

The report also points out that the Venezuelan Penal Code was recently reformed making it a crime to criticize national authorities, and demands that Patricia Poleo, editor of an opposition newspaper and recently sentenced to six months in jail, be set free.

Drug lords and certain corrupt political elites have made life impossible for journalists in some Latinamerican countries. In Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru several journalists were killed, indicates the report. In United States reporters have been sent to court for refusing to reveal sources, and in some cases in trials still pending they could be sentenced to jail or home arrest.

Globally on January 1, 2005, 107 journalists and 70 on line dissidents were in jail and 622 media suffered censorship attacks during 2004. Countries seriously restricting freedom of the press, with risk of life are North Korea, Burma, Vietnam and Laos.

However Iraq for the second year running is the most dangerous place for journalists with the highest number of killings as well as death among media collaborators, drivers, guides, translators, technical crew and security guards.

In Asia 16 journalists were killed in 2004 for exposing corruption or other crimes. Bangladesh, Philippines and Sri Lanka are the most complex countries to be a journalist.

The report concluded saying that "freedom of the press is not guaranteed in the world. As outbreaks dim out, others emerge".