Attack follows local councilor’s continuous hostile attitude toward the press

Location: Venezuela, Zulia State
Date: August 28, 2023

Journalist Alexandra Torres physically and verbally attacked while reporting on the takeover of a police headquarters in Zulia state after being falsely accused of one-sided reporting on the region. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the attack and calls for a comprehensive investigation to hold the responsible individuals accountable.

“Eight women attacked me. They pulled my arms and snatched my phone, which was my only work tool, and threw it on the pavement,” says Alexandra Torres, host of the radio program "Entérate Villa del Rosario" on Ganadera 88.1 FM. 

The attack was triggered by community leader Kendri Soto accusing the journalist of biased reporting while she was covering a police headquarters takeover. “Soto began to incite the people there by shouting several things at me,” says Torres, who believes she was tricked to the police station to be intentionally ambushed by the group. The group, protesting the transfer of detainees to the Public Ministry, had previously contacted Tores to cover the events. 

The attack on Torres comes amidst a growing mistrust of the media in the region, led by Jesús López, regional councilor of Venezuela’s ruling party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). López has consistently attacked media outlets in the region, which he intensified after reports linked the councilor to inadequate fuel distribution in Barranquita.

The protestors who had reached out to Torres to cover the events accuse the journalist of negatively portraying López in her coverage while purposefully ignoring their plight. The group previously failed to show up to her radio program.   

Torres has filed a complaint with the authorities about the attack.

The Coalition for Women in Journalism stands firmly in solidarity with Alexandra Torres and vehemently condemns the attacks she has faced for her unwavering commitment to journalism. These physical and verbal assaults endanger the safety of media professionals and erode the core principles of freedom of expression. 

We urge the relevant authorities to take swift and decisive action, holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions. The authorities must prioritize the protection of journalists and create a safe environment that upholds the integrity of their vital work. The Coalition For Women In Journalism also demands an apology from Councilor López; people in power must acknowledge that their narratives can lead to dangerous real-life situations.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.