DW Español broadcast in Venezuela temporarily interrupted

The broadcast - over several distribution partners of DW - was interrupted between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time. During this time the DW documentary "Venezuela - Escape from a Failed State,” which critically examines the current situation in the country, was being broadcast.

As a result, there were protests from viewers on social media and inquiries by journalist including the journalist union SNTP which alleged censorship by the National Commission of Telecommunications (Conatel). A direct request from DW to CONATEL on Monday concerning the situation remains unanswered. The authority did respond via Twitter rejecting the assumption that it was a censorship measure and referred to any such accusation as "fake news."

Guido Baumhauer, DW's director of distribution and technology: "Deutsche Welle is protesting against the interruption of DW broadcasts on the channels of several distribution partners during a documentary about the situation in Venezuela. Blocking the broadcast of the DW documentary violates the right to freedom of expression. For our Venezuelan colleagues, on-site reporting is again becoming difficult after the possible attack on President Maduro which led to the temporary arrest of several journalists thereby hindering independent reporting. We stand in full solidarity with them."