Two Venezuelan radio stations were shut down, their equipment seized and their offices sealed by military personnel on 18 August. Both stations, Rumbera Network 101.5 FM, and Llanera 91.3 FM in the Guárico province, were raided by soldiers. The soldiers were accompanying government officials from the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel), which had ordered the action. Despite both stations being in the process of obtaining licences and thus operating illegally, there is a tacit understanding in the region that any radio station in the process of seeking licensing will be allowed to operate. Conatel has since stated that the radio stations were shut down as they were operating illegally. However, the current governor of Guárico, Eduardo Manuitt, has voiced his belief that both stations were closed due their criticism of the former Information Minister and current contender for governor, Willian Lara. Conatel have refuted this claim.
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At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
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