CNP Demands End to Censorship, Release of Press Workers in Venezuela

The National College of Journalists (CNP) in Venezuela, through its Alliance for Freedom of Expression, has issued a strong call to action, demanding the immediate cessation of censorship and the release of all journalists and media workers currently detained. In their "Decalogue of Immediate Action 2026," the CNP unequivocally states that a genuine democratic reconstruction in Venezuela is impossible without the full restoration of guarantees for freedom of expression, information, and the press. This stance reflects a deep-seated concern among Venezuelan journalists about the severe restrictions they face daily.

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the reconstruction democratic entails necessarily the recovery of a scheme of guarantees in terms of freedom of expression, information and press.

Central to the CNP's demands is the immediate halt to judicial persecution against journalists, activists, and citizens who engage in reporting and disseminating information. The organization insists on the unconditional release of those imprisoned for their professional activities and calls for the dismissal of arbitrary legal proceedings. This is not merely a call for leniency but a demand for justice and an end to the weaponization of the legal system against the press, a practice that has stifled critical voices for years.

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the main demand of the decalogue is the immediate cessation of judicial persecution against journalists, activists and infociudadanos.

Furthermore, the CNP urges the government to unblock numerous websites, media portals, and social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), as well as virtual private networks (VPNs) that have been systematically blocked by telecommunications operators. The organization also demands an end to verbal attacks, threats, and the use of discriminatory lists by government officials aimed at pressuring media outlets based on their editorial lines. This comprehensive approach highlights the multifaceted nature of the challenges confronting Venezuelan journalists, who operate under constant surveillance and intimidation.

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release of those who are imprisoned for their work and profession, as well as declare the dismissal of arbitrary judicial processes.

From Venezuela's perspective, the fight for press freedom is intrinsically linked to the broader struggle for civil and political rights. The CNP's proposed derogation of restrictive laws, such as those concerning slander, contempt, the Law Against Hate, and the Law on Social Responsibility in Radio, Television, and Electronic Media, is seen as a crucial step towards dismantling the legal framework that enables repression. The international community may view these events through the lens of democratic transitions, but for Venezuelan journalists, this is an immediate, daily battle for the right to inform and be informed, a fundamental pillar of any functioning society.

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order and execute the unblocking of web pages, media portals, social networks such as X and virtual private networks (VPNs).