Statement – September 17

The 2015 National Assembly delegation, led by Dinorah Figuera, highlighted the lifting of blocks on digital news sites as a key advance on the negotiating table’s agenda. The lawmaker emphasized that direct access to information, without having to resort to tools such as VPNs, is a fundamental right that is essential to restoring democratic guarantees in the country, and stated that this achievement at the negotiating table is a crucial first step toward re-institutionalizing the country and fully restoring the right to information.

She also expressed explicit recognition of the work of the media and the journalism community for their efforts under restrictive conditions. Describing the measure as a first step that must be
extended to all news platforms, the parliamentary delegation urges citizens to play an active oversight role to ensure that the restoration of the digital space is permanent.

Statement.

The AN2015 Delegation welcomes the fact that the demands on freedom of expression have been included on the agenda of the negotiating table, and that today this has materialized in the lifting of blocks.

Today a window opens that many of us Venezuelans have been waiting years for: several media outlets are once again within reach of anyone who wants to know what is happening in their country, without using a VPN.

In a full democracy, this is a right, not a concession.

Reporting without fear can no longer be a privilege; it must be compliance with the law. Every time we sit down at the table, we do so determined to achieve re-institutionalization and the transition to democracy, and we insist on the same thing: that voices return, and that citizens no longer have to hide behind a filter to read about their own reality.

This is a first step. Many outlets are still missing, and all of them must return, fully and permanently. Without a free press, there can be no democracy and no true reunion among Venezuelans.

We extend our recognition to the journalism community for its daily effort to bring every reality of our country to light.

We are moving step by step. On this path, we must all act as watchdogs so that these achievements are permanent. Today we will continue at the table, working to win more freedoms.