Reporters Without Borders concerned about Venezuela’s investigation of critical website

Press group criticizes Venezuela’s website probe

CARACAS, Venezuela — The press freedom group Reporters Without Borders says it’s concerned about a Venezuelan government investigation of a critical website.

The Paris-based organization called it disturbing that prosecutors began an investigation of Noticiero Digital in direct response to a call by President Hugo Chavez, who said one article appeared aimed at inciting a coup.

The group said in a statement that such presidential influence violates “the separation of powers” and it concluded the article was not calling for a coup. It called the investigation an “act of intimidation” in a statement Wednesday.

Noticiero Digital is popular among Chavez opponents. It faced a similar investigation in March. It denies wrongdoing in both cases.