Venezuela lifts blocks on digital news outlets
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VE Sin Filtro reported on September 17 that at least 10 digital news websites in Venezuela regained access after major internet providers removed restrictions. This change followed a statement from the Programa para la Paz y la Convivencia Democrática on September 16, which suggested the state remove restrictions from media websites.
The restored websites included Alberto News, Caraota Digital, Crónica Uno, EFE Noticias, Efecto Cocuyo, El Estímulo, El Pitazo, Monitoreamos.com, Runrunes, and Revista Semana.
Cantv, the state-owned telecommunications company, began lifting the blocks at the same time the Programa para la Paz y la Convivencia Democrática released its statement. Private operators like Movistar, Digitel, Inter, and NetUno then replicated the restored access. Conatel, the National Commission of Telecommunications, confirmed it had instructed internet service providers in Venezuela to enable the domains on their networks and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safe access to information platforms.
However, Conatel did not specify how many or which websites had their restrictions lifted. Despite the restoration for these 10 sites, VE Sin Filtro noted that 194 domains remained blocked as of September 17, with 84 providing general news coverage and 61 dedicated to news reporting.
Representatives from media outlets and press freedom organizations had previously asked the Asamblea Nacional elected in 2015 to prioritize freedom of expression in ongoing dialogues with the government, and the two groups resumed talks on September 17.
