It is no secret journalism is —in itself— a demanding way to make a living: the hectic schedule —or no schedule at all— highly competitive market, stressful deadlines and long hours waiting for some public figure, to name a few.
But nothing puts a reporter to the test like covering life-threatening circumstances, be it in a war-torn country or an environment determined to silence the media.
Ricardo Burgos, Peruvian correspondent for Televisa in
Venezuela, shared the various constraints facing journalists in the Bolivarian nation.
The media man denounced Venezuelan Police attacks on journalists, which frequently —and violently— hinder any attempt to report on the crisis.
"I am currently working as an undercover journalist. Aggressions are terrible," he told Andina news agency's online radio station.
"It is easier to face pellets and teargas because you can avoid them. The police, on the other hand, is more dangerous: agents dressed as civilians ride motorcycles with cameras in hand to record and detain us," the correspondent revealed.
Thus, only a handful of correspondents from foreign news networks can be found in the streets of Caracas.
"Only international news agencies with staff based in countries like Peru —close to Venezuela— are there. But in my case, I cannot expose myself. We have to go undercover, foreign journalists cannot reveal their identities."
Social media
Lastly, Burgos addressed the role of social media as a crucial catalyst for the people of
Venezuela opposing the Nicolas Maduro regime.
"Since there is no information about the facts on media outlets, and given the limited role of journalists, social networks burn with comments by those who are against the President's [Maduro] measures," he concluded.
(END) SMS/LIT/DHT/MVB
Published: 8/2/2017