Media Turmoil in Venezuela: What it Means for Press Freedom in the Region

Media Turmoil in Venezuela: What it Means for Press Freedom in the Region

Denial of RCTV's broadcast license to be debated by the television station's president, Venezuelan government representative and Latin America experts

WASHINGTON, June 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the last few weeks, thousands of Venezuelan citizens have taken to the streets to protest -- or support -- President Hugo Chavez's decision to withdraw the license of the country's largest and most prominent TV network, RCTV.

On June 19, RCTV's President Marcel Granier will debate the controversy with a Venezuelan government official and policy and journalism experts at the National Press Club at 6:30 pm.

The panel discussion is sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the International Center for Journalists and the National Press Club. The turmoil in Venezuela has sparked intense debate throughout the Americas. The decision to deny the license may set the stage for similar challenges to the media in neighboring countries.

"We're seeing an even greater polarization of Venezuelan society after this decision," ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan said. "It is essential that Americans understand how this controversy might affect not just Venezuela but U.S. policy and the region as a whole."

The media turmoil in Venezuela has sparked intense debate throughout the Americas. The decision to deny the license could have deep implications for democracy and the role of the media in Venezuela and across the hemisphere.

Barnathan will moderate the discussion, which will feature:

Marcel Granier, President, RCTV
Venezuelan Government Representative, to be announced
Michael Shifter, Vice President for Policy, Inter-American Dialogue
Rick Rockwell, Associate Professor, School of Communications, American
University

The discussion will be followed by a reception. To attend this event, please send an e-mail to events@icfj.org or visit http://www.icfj.org/events.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes journalism excellence worldwide and invests in the vitality of the U.S. communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Since 1950 the foundation has granted nearly $300 million to advance journalism quality and the freedom of expression.

The International Center for Journalists, a non-profit, professional organization, promotes quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition. Over the past 22 years, ICFJ has worked directly with more than 40,000 journalists from 176 countries. Aiming to raise the standards of journalism, ICFJ offers hands-on training workshops, seminars, fellowships and international exchanges to reporters and media managers around the globe.

The National Press Club provides people who gather and disseminate news a center for the advancement of their professional standards and skills, the promotion of free expression, mutual support and social fellowship. The National Press Club has been a part of Washington life for nearly 100 years. Its members have included all of the Presidents of the United States since Warren Harding and most have spoken from the Club's podium.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Joyce Barnathan http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=58544 Luis Botello http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=58547

Source: International Center for Journalists

CONTACT: Dawn Arteaga, Communications Manager of International Center
for Journalists, +1-202-349-7624, darteaga@icfj.org

Web site:

http://www.icfj.org/

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