A new study by Freedom House released this week, “Freedom on the Net 2011: A Global Assessment of Internet and Digital Media,” finds that many countries are experiencing a significant shift in their web freedoms due to government intervention and intimidation.
Out of 37 countries analyzed, 11 received a ranking of “Not Free,” including Iran and Cuba – two of Mr. Chavez’s closest allies. Coming in at 46%, Venezuela received a “Partly Free” ranking.
Some of the takeaways of the Venezuela country report include:
–In March 2010, President Hugo Chávez declared that the Internet could not be “a free thing where you do and say whatever you want.”
–Government-controlled CANTV, which was renationalized in 2007, monopolizes ADSL service and controls more than 90% of the Internet market.
–In December 2010, Venezuela approved laws increasing state control over telecommunications networks and laying the foundation for website managers and service providers to be required to censor users commenting on the platforms they host.
–Although the Venezuelan authorities do not engage in systematic Internet censorship, several measures have been taken to restrict the circulation of information deemed displeasing to the government, and officials have warned of their intention to control online content. According to free expression advocates, the objective of such measures is to gain the upper hand in a medium that is heavily used by the political opposition.
–The Chávez government has taken steps to intimidate news portals and hosting companies, encouraging them to engage in self-censorship. This effort has centered recently on Noticiero Digital, known for its aggregation of content from other media outlets and the anti-government viewpoints of its columnists and commentators.
–Venezuelan courts are subject to the influence of the Executive, particularly with regards to politically important cases. Since 2001, Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice has passed down at least 10 judgments that have placed curbs on freedom of expression.
–When it comes to Press Freedom Status, the report labeled Venezuela “Not Free.”