Four: Marta Colomina
Three: Alberto Federico Ravell
Two: Yon Goicoechea
One: Francisco Usón

Marta Colomina in her office in Union Radio, where she works as a radio show host.

Alberto Federico Ravell. Ravell is the director of Globovisión, a 24-hour news channel in Venezuela.

Alberto Federico Ravell wearing a lapel pin symbolizing solidarity with the different network stations in Venezuela in their struggle for freedom of the press.

Alberto Federico Ravell, lawyer and journalist, has refused to acquiesce to government pressure and change Globovisión’s editorial line.

Photographer: José Carlos Villanueva, for the Spanish newspaper El Mundo Alberto Federico Ravell in the Globovisión studio.

Alberto Federico Ravell at the Rasil Hotel during a popular forum discussing constitutional reform (October 27, 2007).

Alberto Federico Ravell speaking to members of the press.

The graffiti reads, “...Venezuela, now it is Globovisión’s turn.” This is a message from government supporters warning that the TV station Globovisión will be shut down just as RCTV was.

Alberto Federico Ravell making a public statement during the April 12, 2007 march in support of RCTV. Ravell defended his choice to wear a red shirt (the official color of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez’s Bolivarian political movement), stating that this color belongs to all Venezuelans and should not be restricted only to those who support the government.

Alberto Federico Ravell stated that Globovisión has always been under pressure by the government to change its editorial line, saying that the government “has not allowed us to expand our coverage, and has issued numerous suits against us.... We feel like war correspondents working under enemy fire” (“Alberto Ravell: ‘En Globovisión siempre nos hemos sentido en el punto de mira de Chávez,’” El Mundo-España). Ravell has also said that he would rather lose his broadcasting license and still be able to look at himself in the mirror (“Prefiero perder la concesión y poder verme al espejo,” El Universal-Venezuela).

Peaceful march in support of freedom of expression in Venezuela (Francisco Fajardo highway, Caracas, 1/31/2003). The march ended at the Hotel Meliá Caracas, where the marchers delivered a manifesto to the secretary general of the OAS and the foreign ministers of the Grupo de Amigos de Venezuela (notitarde.com, 8/9/2006). See also: http://www.freerctv.com/gallery.php.

Globovisión cameraman Larry Arvelo was beaten by officers of the Metropolitan Police moments after this picture was taken (talcualdigital.com, Caracas, 12/7/2007).

Globovisión logo.

Yon Goicoechea.

Photographer: Manuel Gago Yon Goicoechea with the banner of the Student Movement. The white hand symbolizes purity and non-violence.

Photographer: Manuel Gago Yon Goicoechea at the Andres Bello Catholic University, where he is in his final year of law school.

Yon Goicoechea being attacked by Chávez supporters outside the Pedagogical Center in Caracas. Yon ended up with a broken nose after this incident.

Yon Goicoechea being attacked by Chávez supporters outside the Pedagogical Center in Caracas. Yon ended up with a broken nose after this incident.

Yon Goicoechea debating constitutional reform with student supporters of Chávez.

Yon Goicoechea during an interview in Caracas.

Student protesters holding banners with the phrases: “Expression is Freedom” and “Students for Freedom.”

Unknown gunmen have been opening fire on student protesters in Caracas.

Masked gunmen take aim at student opponents of President Chávez during a shootout at Venezuela's Central University in Caracas on November 7, 2007, shortly after the anti-Chávez students returned from a protest against constitutional reforms that would expand Chavez's power. Shots were fired during clashes where at least eight people were injured, including one by gunfire, according to officials.

Masked gunmen take aim at student opponents of President Chávez during a shootout at Venezuela's Central University in Caracas on November 7, 2007, shortly after the anti-Chávez students returned from a protest against constitutional reforms that would expand Chavez's power. Shots were fired during clashes where at least eight people were injured, including one by gunfire, according to officials.

Student protesters holding a banner which reads: “For national reconciliation, NO to the Reform” (referring to the proposed Constitutional Reform).

“LIBERTAD” (“FREEDOM”) spelled out by university students on Boyacá Avenue in Caracas (June 3).

Francisco Usón, Prisoner of Conscience and Political Prisoner in Venezuela. Sentenced to five-and-a-half years in a maximum security military prison for “defaming” the armed forces.

Francisco Usón, currently a political prisoner of the Venezuelan government, previously served as a cabinet minister in the government of President Hugo Chávez. He was imprisoned after he began speaking out about possible human rights violations committed by the Venezuelan armed forces.

This rare, undated, photograph was taken in Ramo Verde prison where Francisco Usón is falsely imprisoned after criticizing the Venezuelan armed forces. While in custody Usón has survived two assassination attempts.