Venezuela: Journalists Forced to Erase Coverage of El Palito Refinery Oil Spill

Obstruction of journalistic reporting on the oil spill constitutes a direct violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and access to information

Location: Venezuela, Carabobo
Date: December 27, 2023

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom condemns the recent actions of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (Dgcim) in Venezuela, which forced journalists Ruth Lara Castillo and María Torres to delete their coverage of the El Palito refinery oil spill. This blatant act of censorship is not only a gross violation of press freedom, but it also impedes the journalists' professional duties and the public's right to be informed about crucial matters affecting their environment and well-being. The Maduro regime's restrictions on media reporting are alarming and represent a clear obstruction to the essential work of journalists. We demand a comprehensive investigation into this incident and call on the Venezuelan government and its authorities to ensure the protection and facilitation of journalistic activities. 

The El Palito Refinery, situated in Carabobo, Venezuela, and renowned as one of the country's largest complexes, has experienced a significant oil spill for a minimum of two days. Regrettably, the media has been hindered from fully reporting on the situation due to the restrictions imposed by the Nicolás Maduro regime, as stated by the National Union of Press Workers. This censorship imposed on journalists obstructs their ability to carry out their essential work and hampers the dissemination of crucial information to the public. 

According to the National Union of Press Workers, officials from the Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, one of the political police forces under the regime, have prohibited multiple journalists, including Ruth Lara Castillo and María Torres, from covering the news surrounding the oil spill at the refinery. 

“They had us there watching us delete photo by photo, video by video. They even asked us to delete the ones that were in the trash because if not, we couldn't leave there," explains Castillo.

Before they began capturing images of the persistent black stain and ongoing cleanup efforts, Castillo and Torres identified themselves to officials from Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the state-owned oil company. They were told they needed authorization from representatives of the Ministry of Ecosocialism who were present at the site.

While the journalists did not obtain any statements, they were able to record audiovisual material. However, as they prepared to leave the site, they were approached by Dgcim officials who demanded they delete all recorded material, including any files in their phones' trash folders. The journalists complied with the request before moving to a more distant location to capture additional images.

The oil spill, widely condemned by environmental organizations, occurred in the early hours of December 26. It was caused by an overflow from the oxidation lagoon at the El Palito Refinery, a repository for all types of waste produced during fuel production, including oils, crude oil, and contaminated water.

The work of journalists is crucial in bringing attention to issues that may impact the lives of citizens and the environment, such as environmental disasters like the oil spill at the El Palito Refinery. By impeding journalists from reporting on these incidents, both PDVSA and State security agencies are violating the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and access to information for millions of people. This censorship not only hinders the public's right to know but also prevents the necessary scrutiny and accountability that should accompany such incidents. It is essential to uphold press freedom and ensure that journalists can carry out their vital role in informing the public.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom expresses its unwavering support for Ruth Lara Castillo and María Torres. We strongly condemn the harassment and obstacles they encountered while carrying out their journalistic work. We call upon the government and its authorities to ensure the protection and facilitation of journalistic activities, enabling the dissemination of matters of public interest. Additionally, we emphasize that state-owned companies have a responsibility to transparently report on issues that affect citizens, enabling them to take necessary measures and exercise social oversight over public goods.

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 women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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