Venezuela celebrated the World Press Freedom Day amidst a legal framework regulating and restricting the independent work of media, journalists and freedom of speech of citizens, according to the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP).

In a press release, the SNTP added that some 20 laws, codes, and regulations directly o indirectly control communications in Venezuela.

Secretary General of SNTP, Marco Ruiz, said a reform of the Criminal Code provides that any opinion, dissent or demonstration against government officials might be termed an offense, punishable with prison sentences.

To Ruiz's mind, government officials have availed themselves of this legal framework to act against local independent media and prevent their administration from being monitored. Such is the case of three printed media and one digital media, which face complaints filed by Congress Speaker Diosdado Cabello.

El Universal