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The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees that there be freedom of the press. Free press means that the government cannot censor journalists or news media. The government does not have the right to prevent or control things the press publishes. The Constitution of Venezuela outlines similar guidelines regarding freedom of the press. Article 57 of their constitution states that: “Everyone has the right to freely express his or her thoughts, ideas or opinions orally, in writing or by any other form of expression, and to use for such purposes any means of communication and diffusion, and no censorship shall be established." However, political conflict and civil unrest in Venezuela has resulted in cases where these natural rights have been infringed upon through government censorship and oppression.

Cody Weddle is an American journalist was detained in Venezuela and held for 12 hours by a counterintelligence military agency. Reporters say Weddle was detained to intimidate other journalists from reporting on the political conflict & on conditions in Venezuela. He was detained by the internationally condemned presidential regime of Nicolas Maduro. They tried to coerce Weddle into recognizing Maduro as the country’s official president. Weddle told reporters that he believed “his interrogators were trying to get him to say things that could be manipulated in videos” (Reuters.com). Many other journalists have been detained. While there is not a clear grand total, the Washington Post reported that at least 10 journalists of different backgrounds were arrested in the span of a week last January. 

There is much political and civil unrest to report on in Venezuela in terms of a power struggle. After the current president was sworn in for his second term, the leader of a political opposition campaign, Juan Guaido, declared himself the interim president. The US and other major powers officially recognized Guaido as the president which resulted in the corrupt Maduro cutting ties with many countries and sealing the borders. Guaido and many protesters are fighting to hold legitimate elections and drive Maduro out. Maduro has unlawfully detained many members of the opposition and has arrested numerous reporters who give attention to the opposition and conflict. More than 3 million citizens have fled since 2014 because nearly 80% of people don’t have access to sufficient food, and the public health care system also collapsed. 

An organization that could offer protection to journalists in Venezuela and around the world is The Committee to Protect Journalists. The CPJ is an independent nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. They claim on their website that “when press freedom violations occur, CPJ mobilizes a network of correspondents who report and take action on behalf of those targeted” (Cpj.org). They report on violations for public awareness, meet with heads of state and high-ranking officials, and work with other organizations to assist in any way they can when journalists are imprisoned or killed. Also the International Federation of Journalists is a network that helps provide information about conflict and journalistic support to reporters abroad. One of their main goals is to promote “international action to defend press freedom and social justice through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists” (Ifj.org). The IFJ speaks out for press freedom through international channels like the United Nations Human Rights Council and European Parliament to name a few.  They provide training, support, campaigning, and reports which help journalists to be able to work freely without corruption and fear.

One notable journalist from Venezuela was Miguel Otero Silva. Silva was a writer, journalist, humorist and politician. He founded the prominent Venezuelan newspaper called El Nacional. This is one of the most widely read and circulated national newspapers in the country. He was involved in much political activism and plots to overthrow corrupt military rulers and as a result, was forced into exile from Venezuela on more than one occasion for fighting for what he believed in, and utilizing journalism as a strategic tool to convey his ideas and satirical reviews of political events. Finally, he was able to return to Venezuela in 1958 after a democratic state was established and he was later elected to the Venezuelan Senate. 

Venezuela does not measure up too well to the International Code of Practice for the Safe Conduct of journalism as a result of the government's corrupt systems of censorship and oppressive treatment towards journalists. Journalists in Venezuela run the risk of being detained and in a few serious instances, killed by the corrupt government for attempting to report within the controversial political climate that currently exists. The code demands protection and safety for all journalists and reinforces the protection of natural human rights. Journalists in Venezuela should be supported and protected by the government and law enforcement systems, not afraid of what these institutions could do to them for simply doing their job. In Venezuela, as The Washington Post reports, “the government has intensified suppression and intimidation of journalists in recent days by ordering newsrooms to avoid covering opposition rallies and speeches, closing down radio stations, raiding TV channel offices, and blocking websites.” This is clearly not in accordance with the freedom of the press outlined in their constitution or the International Code of Practice for the Safe Conduct of journalism. Maybe if the democratic proceedings desired by Guaido succeed, Venezuela can become more aligned with the principles outlined in their constitution.