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Venezuela AG proposes law limiting media freedom of expression

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Venezuelan Attorney General Luisa Ortiz on Thursday proposed legislation to limit the media's freedom of expression in certain circumstances, citing the importance of national security. Under the proposed law, journalists could face up to four years in prison for "threatening the social peace, security and independence of the nation, public order, stability of state institutions, mental health, and public morals and for generating a climate of impunity or insecurity. The law would also punish those who disseminate false information, resulting in public panic. Ortiz later stressed to the media that the measures are essential for balancing freedom of expression with safety and security concerns: The Committee to Project Journalists (CPJ) called the proposed legislation a "serious setback to freedom of expression and democracy in Venezuela, and part of a pattern of repression by President Chavez to silence independent and critical voices." The National Assembly, controlled by allies of President Hugo Chavez, began debating the measure Thursday and is expected to approve it within the next few months.Venezuela has been criticized repeatedly for its limits on freedom of expression and religion. In May, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) added Venezuela to its "watch list" of countries that limit religious freedom. In February the US State Department criticized Venezuela for press restrictions in its 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. In September, Venezuelan officials ordered two senior Human Rights Watch (HRW) staff to leave the country after after the group released a report concluding that democracy and human rights have suffered during the Chavez administration.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on July 31, 2009 (boomark / email).