Venezuela: Regime Escalates Press Crackdown Ahead of Maduro’s Swearing-In, Joanna Barboza Attacked
January 09, 2025 - Venezuela, Zulia
The Venezuelan government has intensified its crackdown on journalists, escalating censorship and violence ahead of Nicolás Maduro’s swearing-in. On January 9, 2025 during nationwide protests against Maduro’s re-election, security forces detained four journalists and assaulted six others.
Joanna Barboza, journalist and board member of the Colegio Nacional de Periodistas (CNP) in Zulia, was attacked while covering a protest. When she identified herself as a journalist, a masked Dgcim officer slapped her hand, knocking her phone away—an act of physical aggression and obstruction of journalistic work.
This wave of repression is a deliberate attempt to silence critical voices and suppress independent coverage of the electoral process. Since the presidential election on July 28, 2024, state forces have increasingly targeted journalists, with 11 reporters arbitrarily detained, imprisoned, and falsely accused of terrorism. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression have condemned this as "state terrorism."
Women Press Freedom denounces these attacks and the ongoing persecution of independent journalists in Venezuela. The targeting of the press must end.
WPF demands the immediate release of ETHA reporter Züleyha Müldür, detained during widespread police raids this morning.
WPF celebrates the release of Palestinian journalists Bushra Al-Taweel and Rula Hassanein as part of the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal.
Palestinian Authority security forces detain Al-Jazeera journalist Givara Budeiri and her cameraperson while reporting live outside Israel’s Ofer prison.
Russian drone targets journalist Margarita Potapova and her Ukrainian Witness film crew near Zaporizhzhia.
Police detain five journalists— Reyhan Hacıoğlu (Van), Rahime Karvar, Necla Demir, Welat Ekin & Ahmet Güneş (Istanbul)—in morning raids on their homes and media offices.
Voice of America reporter Ulviyya Ali has been banned from travel after police interrogation over the MeydanTV case—despite having no ties to the outlet.
WPF strongly condemns the legal harassment of journalist Anna Nini and Press Project publisher Konstantinos Poulis for their coverage of a high-profile trial in Greece.
Israeli airstrike kills journalist and photographer Ahlam Al Nafed while she was walking to Al Shifa Hospital on January 14, 2025.
Police in Mersin beat and obstruct Fatoş Sarıkaya from filming, throwing her press card to the ground.
Mzia Amaghlobeli was detained twice in Batumi—first for posting a strike sticker, then during a protest. She’s now accused of assaulting a police chief, a charge carrying 4-7 years imprisonment
Four men, claiming to be police, abducted the journalist, restrained her, seized her phones, and demanded access to her accounts. She was held for four hours before being released.
Khanum Mustafayeva was barred from leaving Azerbaijan without explanation. Authorities at Baku airport cited a travel ban by the Ministry of Internal Affairs but gave no reasons.
Le Monde journalist faced a wave of online abuse, including sexist and anti-Semitic threats, following false accusations that she intruded on the funeral of a far-right leader - Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Three journalists were physically attacked while covering the tragic stabbing death of a 14-year-old teenager in Evreux.
Greek courts have upheld the conviction of Kurdish journalist Berçem Mordeniz, rejecting her appeal and sentencing her to seven months in prison, which was suspended.
Joanna Barboza was attacked while covering a protest in Zulia. During nationwide protests against Maduro’s re-election, security forces detained four journalists and assaulted six others.
Politician’s reckless rhetoric has fueled a wave of misogynistic and attacks against Giraldo on social media.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom welcome the release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala from detention in Iran.
Alona Bereza of ZHAR.INFO received emails threatening to bomb her editorial office.
An unnamed woman journalist from the "Jewish Forum for Democracy and Against Anti-Semitism" (JFDA) was assaulted in Berlin-Kreuzberg.
WPF celebrates the release of Ana da Silva Miguel (also known as Neth Nahara), the popular influencer jailed for criticizing President João Lourenço on TikTok.
Natuza Nery attacked in a São Paulo supermarket by civil police officer.
Shatha al-Sabbagh was fatally shot by a suspected sniper from Palestinian Authority (PA) forces while documenting the ongoing violence in Jenin on December 30, 2024.
WPF and the CFWIJ strongly condemn the unjust detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala by Iranian authorities. Cecilia Sala, an esteemed journalist known for her insightful reporting from conflicts, was arrested by Iranian authorities on December 19, 2024, in Tehran while conducting her work with a valid journalist visa.
Eliso Janashia was physically attacked by Nineli Kulonava, a supporter of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Authorities launch an investigation into JİN News reporter Öznur Değer for "insulting a public official." Probe initiated after she stood up to a police officer’s sexist remarks during a protest in Mêrdîn against the killing of two Kurdish journalists in Syria.
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a criminal investigation against the independent news outlet T24 and journalist Seyhan Avşar.
Nine people, including seven journalists, were detained in Şişhane, Istanbul, while attempting to hold a press statement in memory of murdered Kurdish journalists Jihan Belki and Nazım Daştan.
Journalist Özlem Gürses was placed under house arrest on December 21, 2024 after comments on her YouTube channel were misinterpreted as criticism of the Turkish Armed Forces.
Police in Van attacked and detained journalists and activists protesting the killing of Kurdish journalists Jihan Belki and Nazim Dashdam in a Turkish drone strike in North Syria.
