Freedom of the press and tax law
Probably, the title of this publication has no logical sense, therefore, I hope that in the development of the manuscript each one of you, can elucidate the controversial approach embodied in the title, we understand by freedom of the press, at the unobjectionable principle of preserving communication and expression as a right to be exercised freely, without the intervention of the state, or any organism that establishes the prohibition of previous censorship.
The previous preamble is framed by governmental decisions and standards that some countries have in order to create pressure on the freedom of the press, through indirect forms, for example; regulatory mechanisms against the styles used by the media to transmit information, establishment of censorship against the plurality of information, and closure of the physical spaces or infrastructures where the media operate.
Fig. 2 Some states exert pressure on the media by closing physical or digital spaces to prevent disclosure. Image of public domain, Author: Agnali, 2016
This last aspect, as well as the closing of the physical spaces, throughout time has been a categorical tactic used by the government institutions so that the media are subordinated to their interests, as occurred a few days ago in Venezuela, where the tax administration entity or SENIAT, as this Venezuelan institution is identified, decided to close for a period of five days, the facilities of several media, among them a recognized national newspaper based in the state of Zulia.
The media to which I refer, is the famous and historical newspaper PANORAMA recognized for presenting information in printed edition since 1914, but since 2019 began to circulate digitally on the Internet, this due to lack of materials to continue with their usual printing, product of the economic crisis that Venezuela is going through in the last five years.
Fig. 3 The closure of the Panorama newspaper for five days was based on the failure to comply with formal duties of the Venezuelan tax laws. Image of public domain, Author: Falco, 2010
The reason given for closing the headquarters of the Panorama newspaper for five days is the repeated failure to comply with the formal duties of the Venezuelan tax laws, an element that can obviously be interpreted as a tactic used by this tax agency to subordinate this important national media. I hope to see your opinions in the comments, do you think this unilateral action is a guarantee of freedom of information and freedom of expression?.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES CONSULTED:
[1] Pearson M. Press freedom, social media and the citizen. Pacific Journalism Review. 2013; 19; 2: 215 - 227. Article: Online access
[2] Himelboim I., and Limor Y. Media perception of freedom of the press: A comparative international analysis of 242 codes of ethics. 2008. Article: Online access
[3] Colegio Nacional de Periodistas. Seniat clausura por cinco días al diario Panorama por supuesto incumplimiento tributario. Article: Online access