Venezuela: Censorship row over “violent” photo ban

19 Aug 10 | Index Index, minipost

Yesterday (18 August) El Nacional, a leading Venezuelan newspaper ran a front page with “censored” written across it. The move was a response to a Caracas court ruling that has effectively banned newspapers from publishing images of violence or bloody scenes. El Nacional was found guilty of publishing pictures which may have been harmful to children after it ran a photo showed dead bodies at a morgue. The anti-Chavez publication was told that it may be fined up to two per cent of its revenue for its actions. The newspaper’s editor has accused the government of trying to cover up violent crime in run-up to next month’s election.

Mexican mayor murders opposition supporter

12 Jul 10 | Index Index, minipost

Gerardo Jarquin Diaz, mayor of the small town of San Pedro Totolapan and member of the PRI (The Institutional Revolutionary Party), was arrested for killing one supporter of the rival political group PRD (Party of the Democratic Revolution) and injuring another. The shooting took place after the two men made fun of the PRI’s performance in a recent election. The election results mark the first time that the southern state Oaxaca has been ruled by a non PRI governor in 80 years.