Venezurela-Covering opposition events became risky for journalists, Minister says
http://www.avn.info.ve/contenido/covering-opposition-events-became-risky-journalists-minister-says

"It seems that now covering opposition events has become a high-risk labor or task," said Communication and Information Minister Andres Izarra, referring to aggressions suffered by alternative and public media journalists in the coverage of political activities of right-wing presidential candidate Henrique Capriles.

Last Tuesday, correspondent of state television VTV in central state of Guarico, Geovanina Guillen, and cameraman Jose Garboza were assaulted while covering a right-wing political event.

"Aggressions have not ceased. They are increasing systematically instead. From (insulting) words, they changed to punches," Izarra said Wednesday during an interview in local television.

Geovanina Guillen said she got a bang on her breast, arm and back, while Jose Garboza was banged on the back. He managed to lift the camera and only the transmitter was damaged.

Minister Izarra said he advised directors of the National Public Media System to send journalist with additional protection, such as bulletproof vests and helmets.

"We shall reinforce the safety of journalists who cover events organized by the opposition to prevent a tragedy," he added.

In the face of continual aggressions, Izarra informed the network of public radio stations of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) rejected such attacks and requested the right-wing election campaign group to respect journalists.

Early this month, journalist Janeth Suarez and cameraman Danny Vargas were attacked during an opposition political event in western state of Barinas.

The same thing happened in different activities to journalists Llafrancis Colina from Avila TV; Pedro Carvajalino and Carolina Zapata from VTV; and Patricia Soto from AVN.