Threats, lies and censorship: Media in Venezuela

Venezuela finds itself in a deep economic, social and political crisis with severe polarization, hyperinflation, serious shortages on food, medicine, water and electricity, and rampant crime.

Discontent with the government has been growing, and on 6 December 2015 the opposition won a parliamentary majority for the first time in seventeen years. The political instability and tension have also had major implications for the country’s media.

As a result, three organisations – Article 19, International Media Support, and Open Society Foundations in spring 2016 decided to carry out a joint mission to assess the current media and freedom of expression environment in Venezuela and identify possible avenues for support. This report is a product of that mission.