Venezuelans protest beatings of journalists

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090815/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_journalists_beaten

Venezuelans protest beatings of journalists

Associated Press Writer Rachel Jones, Associated Press Writer – 31 mins ago
CARACAS, Venezuela – Hundreds gathered in Venezuela on Friday to demand justice after a group of journalists protesting media regulations were kicked, punched and beaten with sticks.

Attackers injured 12 of the journalists on Thursday as they passed out leaflets warning against a new education law that critics fear could lead to indoctrination in schools. Their fliers warning against a provision for sanctions against reports that "produce terror" among children or incite hate.

The education law provoked sporadic protests in Venezuela's capital this week. Dozens of marchers demonstrated against its approval Friday afternoon, while shortly after dusk, protesters across Caracas banged on pots and pans for about a half hour to show their indignation.

But Chavez applauded lawmakers for passing the bill on Friday, calling it "tremendous."

"We want to truly bring down this bourgeois, capitalist system of education," he said. "If the bourgeoisie cries about it, it's because it's good."

The leading Caracas daily Ultimas Noticias, which has a government-friendly editorial line, said 12 journalists employed by its newspaper group were injured in the attacks Thursday. The paper ran a front-page headline declaring: "Enough with the violence!"

Photos showed apparent Chavez supporters descending on the group, then shoving, kicking and beating them with sticks. The journalists, some bloodied in the confrontation, later reported the attackers shouted slogans in support of Chavez's government.

The government condemned the violence and ordered an investigation. No arrests have been made.

Ultimas Noticias quoted witnesses saying the attackers emerged from a pro-government television station, Avila TV. It published a photograph showing a group pummeling a person lying on the pavement, while two of the attackers wielded sticks.

Avila TV denied involvement in a statement, calling the accusations one of "many attacks" aimed at discrediting the station.

On Friday, about 300 protesters led by journalists chanted "Freedom of expression!" outside the attorney general's office. Some held signs with photos of injured reporters under the words: "Stop the aggression against journalists!"

Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami condemned the violence, saying the journalists were protesting peacefully when attacked.

The legislation was approved early Friday by lawmakers allied with Chavez.

The reporters were attacked a couple of blocks away from the National Assembly, where police broke up a larger protest with tear gas.

"A man hit me over the head with a stick," reporter Maria Rondon told Ultimas Noticias. Another journalist, Sergio Moreno, said a woman struck him on the back with a rock.

Carlos Lauria of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists urged the government to "prosecute those responsible to the full extent of the law." The Inter American Press Association urged an "immediate and complete investigation."

Tensions have been on the rise between Venezuela's private media and Chavez's government. Earlier this month, regulators forced at least 32 radio stations off the air, refusing to renew some licenses and revoking others because officials said they failed to comply with regulations.

Chavez has repeatedly clashed with media outlets he accuses of conspiring against him.

Lauria said Chavez and his government should abstain from using inflammatory language against the media. "It promotes a climate, an environment, where these incidents happen," he said.

that would be horrible.