2009-06-29 12:52:59 - On Friday, the government and opposition marched to support their side in the current media warfare that continues to rage in Venezuela.

VHeadline News Editor Patrick J. O'Donoghue reports:

The National College of Journalists (CNP), which is firmly in the opposition camp, had "They Will Not Muzzle Us" as their main slogan, along with "Journalism Is Freedom." Organizers of the event complained that the government had deliberately closed the nearest metro station to prevent sympathizers from reaching the venue.

CNP president, William Echeverria ended the opposition rally, stating that there is no democracy without independent and free media and insisting that member journalists are not “political leaders but do represent the interests of society that clamors for freedom. National Press Worker’s trade union (SNTP) president, Jose Gregorio Salazar addressed the marchers proclaiming that for his union truth is the overriding norm, which

will always be defended.

Journalists sympathizing with the government held a separate march and rally to criticize the CNP for “representing the interests of media barons” and by having turned into political agents to attack the government. Socialist journalists allege that the CNP and SNTP have not budged a inch over the last 10 years, refusing to modernize and update the organizations. However, it would appear that opinions are divided among pro-government journalists, with some proposing to create a new college of journalists and others, contending that the CNP is still relevant and must be placed at the service of the revolutionary process.

After the government march to the Capitolio, journalists handed National Assembly (AN) president, Cilia Flores a document on the role of journalism. Addressing the marchers, Flores has agreed that the debate on journalism has been opened during the “Artillery of Thought Week” launched by President Chavez. "From this moment onwards, we declare the public and national debate open regarding laws that have to deal with journalism and we will take on not only the laws but also the role of the media."

Patrick J. O'Donoghue
news.editor@vheadline.com

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