Pamphlets contain the reporter’s photograph with the ominous warning, "You will end up like Seir Contreras. Hiding and unemployed"

Location: Venzuela, San Cristóbal
Date: September 19, 2023

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the tactics employed to intimidate journalist Luzfrandy Contreras. Threats are an apparent attempt to silence her reporting and result from years of inflammatory rhetoric by Venezuelan authorities to undermine and discredit journalists and their work. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is worried for the safety of Contreras, urges authorities to condemn the threats, and hold those responsible to account. 

On September 19, 2023, a white van approached the National College of Journalists (CNP) in San Cristóbal. From the vehicle, unknown persons threw threatening pamphlets targeting reporter Luzfrandy Contreras. 

The leaflets contained photographs of Contreras along with the message: "Luzfrandy politicizes journalistic work. You will end up like Seir Contreras. Hiding and unemployed."

TV presenter Seir Contreras was fired from the Globovisión station after challenging pro-government deputy Ramón Magallanes’ arguments during a broadcast interview. The Caracas Sectional National College of Journalists (CNP) reported his dismissal, claiming it resulted from the channel's censorship policy.

Sandra Rondón, the general secretary of CNP Táchira, condemns the pamphlets threatening Luzfrandy Contreras as an intimidation tactic against journalists. She says Contreras is known for not getting involved in political conflicts, and the CNP board is investigating the incident. Rondón emphasized that Contreras has always behaved ethically and adhered to journalistic principles.

The government in Venezuela, led by Nicolás Maduro, has a firm grip on the judicial and legislative branches, creating a flawed system of checks and balances. Journalists in the country routinely face disqualification, prosecution, and threats from state media and officials. 

This has created a climate of mistrust around journalists, which has led to assaults. 

In August, journalist Alexandra Torres was physically and verbally attacked while reporting on the takeover of a police headquarters in Zulia state. She was falsely accused of one-sided reporting on the region. Torres was ambushed by eight women who attacked her, snatched her phone, and threw it on the pavement. The attack was triggered by a community leader who accused Torres of biased reporting. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is deeply concerned by the targeted attack on Luzfrandy Contreras. The spreading of pamphlets containing threats and misinformation is incredibly dangerous. This attempt to intimidate and discredit her reporting puts her safety at risk. We demand the Venezuelan authorities stop targeting journalists with harmful rhetoric, respect press freedom and allow reporters to work freely.

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.