Lawyer, writer, human rights activist, born in Venezuela, currently living in Santiago de Chile. I founded the Venezuelan NGO Acceso Libre, and I work as public policy analyst for the NGO Derechos Digitales. I have a blog (in Spanish) called La vida no trae instrucciones, and I regularly rant on Twitter about technology, feminism, literature and pop culture.
Latest posts by Marianne Díaz Hernández
Trying to follow the news in Venezuela? Here are a few sources you can trust
Venezuelans are finding ways to gather, organize and assess information on their own terms.
Venezuelans say they are unable to access key Google services
Reports of new Internet blocks sound alarms and point to a possible escalation in communication and information control.
No paper, no electricity, no news: Information controls keep coming in Venezuela
With news and porn sites being blocked, Venezuela's government intensifies its control over mainstream and social media while painting a grim landscape for freedom of speech and access of information.
Venezuelan Government Wants to Regulate Hatred on Social Media
Today, with an all-powerful ANC composed solely of representatives from the governing party, it seems unlikely that anything will be able to stop the law from being approved.
Is This the End of the Fifth Republic in Venezuela?
Maduro's answer to the ongoing protests in the country has been a proposal for changes to the Constitution, which has intensified the distrust and rejection of his rule.
As Protests Escalate, Web TV and News Sites Are Censored in Venezuela
Multiple web TV channels that had been broadcasting protests in Caracas have been inaccessible since the morning of April 7.
News Website Cameraman Arrested While Broadcasting Protests in Venezuela
"Almost 30,000 people were watching the VPITV broadcast on YouTube when the Bolivarian National Police took the cameraman."
Opposition-Minded Venezuelans Have Their Say on the Legacy of Cuba's Fidel Castro
Few countries were as in thrall to Castro as Venezuela, where many accuse him of enabling the abuses of the socialist government.
Venezuela's Government Blocks the Recall Referendum Process, and the Opposition Cries ‘Dictatorship!’
"A democratic government consults the people. A dictatorship flees the electoral vote."
In Venezuela, Electrical Shortages Limit Basic Communication — and Free Expression
The internet access speed in Venezuela has been called "the slowest line in Latin America."
Venezuela: Research Confirms Censorship of News Platforms, Currency Websites
The study also confirmed that all local Internet service providers using DNS (domain name system) blocking, technique through which domain name servers respond incorrectly to requests for a particular domain.
How to Train for Digital Literacy in Venezuela—When Internet Isn’t Always Available
What is it like to provide digital literacy workshops in countries with low Internet penetration? From Venezuela, Marianne Díaz shares her experience for the Global Voices Exchange project.
Low Bandwidth, High Hopes: Digital Participation in Venezuelan Elections
Despite low bandwidth and a series of localized Internet outages, the Web proved critical to public discourse and circulation of information about candidates, especially those running with the opposition.
‘We Need to Be Careful Even of What We Think': Self-Censorship in Venezuela
"Since the start of the protests, I had been mapping online censorship and helping people use encrypted communication tools. When the police came, I got up, scared to the bone."
Venezuela: Draft Law Would Criminalize Online Protest, Remove Checks on Surveillance
Under the law, a person using digital media to “promote or attack the constitutional order” or “disrupt public peace” could face between one and five years behind bars.
Venezuela: E-Commerce Bill Would Give Authorities New Avenue for Online Censorship
The first draft of the e-commerce bill grants the telecommunications authority new powers to block websites found in breach of the bill's restrictions.
Venezuela: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Visit Raises Controversy
Iran's President, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, arrived in Venezuela on Sunday, January 8, in his first stop in a tour to several Latin American countries. His visit has sparked strong reactions on social networks, where users are questioning whether his presence might be of some benefit for the nation.
Venezuela: Netizens Comment on Possible Gasoline Use Restrictions
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced possible measures to start rationing gasoline. This matter constitutes a very sensitive issue for Venezuelans, since Venezuela is a country with one of the world's lowest gasoline prices. After the announcement, bloggers and Twitter users reacted in different ways.
Venezuela: Views and Thoughts on Internet Regulation
The Venezuelan National Assembly will be discussing a reform to the national telecommunications system, which includes the creation of a national Network Access Point, the regulation of all content distributed through the Internet, and the prohibition of several kinds of content (sex, violence, and those which "offend decency"). While Venezuelan politicians remain silent, netizens have expressed their views regarding this bill.
