Résumé - Andrés Cañizález - Organization of American States

Résumé - Andrés Cañizález

Summary:
Venezuelan, born on February 9, 1966; is a Bachelor of Mass Communication (Journalism Major),
Master of Political Science with emphasis on International Relationships from Simón Bolívar
University (USB by its Spanish initials) and Master of Venezuelan History from Andrés Bello
Catholic University (UCAB by its Spanish initials), also earned a Political Science Doctorate from
USB, Caracas His doctoral thesis earned high honors. He further completed postdoctoral studies
at Central University of Venezuela (UCV by its Spanish initials).

Chair Professor-Researcher at UCAB, in charge of the line of research on media, democracy, and
freedom of the press. His position promotion research was awarded a publication
recommendation by the examining jury.

He has managed such academic journals as Temas de Comunicación (Communication Issues)
from 2006 to 2016, and Comunicación. Estudios Venezolanos de Comunicación (Communication.
Venezuelan Studies on Communication) from 2000 to 2008, coordinated the Latin American
Communication Researchers (ALAIC by its Spanish initials) Political Communication and Media
Task Group from 2006 to 2016. Cañizález is a member of the Academic Council for the Opening
and Development of Latin America (CADAL by its Spanish initials).

In May 2019, he has appointed President Emeritus of the Venezuelan Association of Communication
Researchers (INVECOM by its Spanish initials), in recognition for his career, and is a board member
of the NGO Medianálisis, which since 2010 conducts research and training endeavors,
encouraging interaction between journalism and democracy.

In 2017, he was ranked among the 300 highest impacting Venezuelan scholars (from all fields),
according to Google Scholar indicators, in a rating by EU-sponsored Acumen Project, being the
only one involved in media journalism and free speech among those listed.

Since 2014, Cañizález hosts En Este País (In This Country), a Venezuelan news analysis show
broadcast on Fe y Alegría (Faith and Joy) national radio network, a Latin American Association for
Radio Education (ALER by its Spanish initials) affiliate.

In 2018, he received NGO La Vida de Nos (This Life of Ours) Narrative Journalism Award for
his autobiographic testimonial “El Hijo de La Loca” (The Crazy Woman’s Son), which
addresses the schizophrenia afflicting his mother. In 2019, IPYS (Press and Society Institute
by its Spanish initials) Venezuela awarded the report series “Las Voces del JM de Los Ríos”
(The voices of JM de Los Ríos [Hospital]), regarding the precarious situation of the flagship
children’s healthcare center in the country, featuring a piece by Cañizález, a special mention
at its national investigative journalism contest. Likewise, the [Roman Catholic] Bishops
Conference of Venezuela (CEV by its Spanish initials) granted him its yearly Monseñor Pellín
Opinion Program Award 2019 for the show “In This Country”.

Since 2000, he has been involved in the defense, promotion and study of freedom of expression
in Venezuela, as summarized below:

      2007-2015: Author - at the request of Tal Cual director Teodoro Petkoff - of the first
       column devoted to freedom of expression issues in Venezuela, called Infocracia
       (Infocracy), published by this daily, later weekly.
      2001-2013: Author and co-author of the chapters on freedom of expression and
       information in the annual reports of the Venezuelan Education-Action Program on
       Human Rights, PROVEA.
      2005-2011: Correspondent in Venezuela for the international network of Reporters
       Without Borders (RSF by its French initials).
      2005-2008: Responsible for the design and implementation of the first graduate program
       (online degree) on freedom of expression and information in Venezuela, offered by
       UCAB.
      2003-2006: Participant, along with other activists, in the hearings at the Inter-American
       Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) convened regarding the situation of freedom of
       expression in Venezuela.
      2000-2001: Participant of the high-level training course on Freedom of Expression (nine
       months) organized by the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights (IIHR) and UCAB.
      2002: Co-founder of NGO Espacio Público and co-author of the freedom of expression
       and information indicators developed and compiled by this organization since then; co-
       founder of Press and Society Institute (IPYS) Venezuela Chapter, responsible for
       establishing a monitoring network in seven cities in the country.

   Regular contributor for Efecto Cocuyo, El Estímulo, and Prodavinci websites with
    journalistic pieces addressing the implications of the interaction between political power,
    media, and freedom of expression in Venezuela.
   Author of over 100 academic publications (books, book chapters, and articles). They can
    be found listed on Google Scholar. Among them, the following titles regarding the study
    of freedom of expression stand out:

     Cañizález, A. (2019). Poder y medios de comunicación: entre la democratización
      y el autoritarismo. La sinuosa historia venezolana [Power and media: Between
      democratization and authoritarianism. The winding Venezuelan story].
      Comunicación. Estudios venezolanos de la comunicación. N° 187-188. pp. 9-28.
      Fundación Centro Gumilla, Caracas.
     Cañizález, A. (2019) 20 años de censura en Venezuela (1999-2018) [20 years of
      censorship in Venezuela (1999-2018)]. Editorial Alfa, Caracas.
     Cañizález, A. (2019) El presidente encadena. La comunicación presidencial
      directa en América Latina [The president goes live on a mandatory broadcast.
      Direct presidential communication in Latin America]. Innovación, tecnología e
      información. El nuevo paisaje de la comunicación. Asociación Venezolana de
      Investigadores de la Comunicación y Universidad Monteávila, Caracas.
     Cañizález, A. (2018) Periodismo y poder en la Revolución Bolivariana (1999-2001)
      [Journalism and power in the Bolivarian Revolution (1999-2001)]. Quorum
      Académico. Vol. 15. N° 2. pp. 93-107. Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo.
     Cañizález, A. (2018) Venezuela: Journalists work in a fragile context. Brazilian
      Journalism Research. v. 14, N° 2. pp. 524-545. Associação Brasileira de
      Pesquisadores em Jornalismo, Sao Paulo.
     Cañizález, A. (2018) Políticas públicas de comunicación en tiempos de la
      Revolución Bolivariana [Public communication policies in Bolivarian Revolution
      times]. Spiritto, F. (Coord.). Decisiones de gobierno en Venezuela. Apuntes para
      su comprensión histórica y de políticas públicas. pp. 297-316. Universidad
      Católica Andrés Bello & Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Caracas.
     Cañizález, A. (2018). Cuarenta años de recorrido: la libertad de expresión e
      información en la revista Comunicación [A forty-year journey: Freedom of expression
      and information on Comunicación magazine]. Comunicación. Estudios venezolanos de
      la comunicación. N° 181. pp. 100-114. Fundación Centro Gumilla, Caracas.
     Cañizález, A. (2018) Comunicación, poder y democracia. Travesía
      latinoamericana y venezolana [Communication, power, and democracy. The
      Latin American and Venezuelan journey]. Crovi Druetta, D. & Trejo Delarbre, R.
      (Coords.) Tejiendo nuestra historia. Investigación de la comunicación en América
      Latina. pp. 31-58. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico.

 Cañizález, A. (2017). Libertad de expresión. Aproximaciones, debates y límites
             [Freedom of expression. Insights, debates, and boundaries]. Editorial Académica
             Española, Madrid.
            Cañizález, A. & Coscojuela, S. (2017). Recadi y la libertad de prensa en Venezuela
             (1986-87) [Recadi1 and freedom of the press in Venezuela (1986-87)]. Comunicación.
             Estudios venezolanos de la comunicación. N° 177. pp. 7-21. Fundación Centro Gumilla,
             Caracas.
            Bisbal, M. & Cañizález, A. (2017). Venezuela: Nicolás Maduro o el autoritarismo
             comunicacional [Nicolás Maduro or communicational authoritarianism]. Ponce,
             M. & Rincón, O. (Eds.) Medios de lucha. Comunicación de gobierno en América
             Latina. pp. 209-232. Ediciones B & Universidad Católica del Uruguay,
             Montevideo.
            Cañizález, A. (2017). Hegemonía y control sobre la comunicación masiva. El
             modelo chavista [Hegemony and control over mass communication. The
             Chavista Model]. Bautista Urbaneja, D. (Coord.) Desarmando el modelo. Las
             transformaciones del sistema político venezolano desde 1999. pp. 423-446.
             Universidad Católica Andrés Bello & Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Caracas.
            Cañizález, A. & Matos-Smith, M. (2017). Derecho a la comunicación: el sinuoso
             recorrido legal en Venezuela [Right to communication: The winding legal journey in
             Venezuela]. Sierra Caballero, F. & Vallejo, R. (Eds.) Derecho a la comunicación.
             Procesos regulatorios y democracia en América Latina. Ediciones Ciespal, Quito.
            Cañizález, A. & Hernández, L. (2016) La pantalla censurada [The censored screen].
             Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Caracas.
            Cañizález, A. (2016) Venezuela bajo la Revolución Bolivariana: medios de
             comunicación y libertad de expresión [Venezuela under the Bolivarian revolution:
             Media and freedom of expression]. Centro para la Apertura y el Desarrollo de América
             Latina, Buenos Aires.
            Cañizález, A. (2016) La presidencia desde los medios. TV y personalización de la
             política en la comunicación presidencial [The presidency from the media. TV and
             personalization of politics in presidential communication]. Castillo, A. & Gondo,
             R. (Orgs.) Comunicación Política y Democracia en Latinoamérica: Retos y
             Perspectivas. pp. 233-244. Sociedade Brasileira dos Profissionais e
             Pesquisadores de Comunicação e Marketing Político, Sao Paulo.
            Cañizález, A. & Mier y Terán Millán, M. (2016). Análisis del discurso periodístico
             en Venezuela a propósito de presuntas violaciones a los derechos humanos
             durante las protestas de 2014 [Journalistic discourse analysis regarding alleged
             human rights violations during the 2014 protests in Venezuela]. Comunicación.

1   TN: Name of a defunct currency exchange control authority in Venezuela from 1983 to 1989.

Estudios venezolanos de la comunicación. N° 175. pp. 193-204. Fundación Centro
           Gumilla, Caracas
          Cañizález, A. & Matos-Smith, M. (2015) El caso de Globovisión y la implantación del
           modelo mixto-autoritario en el sistema de medios [The Globovisión case and the
           implementation of the mixed-authoritarian model in the media system].
           Iberoamericana. Vol. 15, N° 59. Instituto Iberoamericano, Berlin.
          Cañizález, A. (2014) The state in pursuit of hegemony over the media: The Chávez
           model. Guerrero, M. & Márquez-Ramírez, M. (Eds.) Media system and
           communication policies in Latin America. pp. 157-177. Palgrave, New York.
          Cañizález, A. (2014) Infocracia. Poder político, medios de comunicación y derecho a la
           libertad de expresión en Venezuela [Infocracy. Political power, media, and right to free
           speech]. Centro para la Apertura y el Desarrollo de América Latina, Buenos Aires.
          Cañizález, A. (2014) Libertad de prensa y de expresión en los países andinos. Tensión,
           amenazas y restricciones. Intento de balance 2013-2014 [Freedom of the press and
           expression in Andean countries. Tension, threats, and restrictions. Attempt at an
           assessment 2013-2014]. Temas de Comunicación. N° 29. Universidad Católica Andrés
           Bello, Caracas.
          Cañizález, A. (2014) Historia del presente. Libertad de expresión en Venezuela [Present
           history: Free speech in Venezuela]. Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. Caracas.
          Cañizález, A. (2014) Pluralismo menguante. Elecciones y libertad de expresión en
           Venezuela [Dwindling pluralism. Elections and free speech in Venezuela]. Editorial
           Comunicación Social. Salamanca.
          Cañizález, A. (2012) Hugo Chávez: la presidencia mediática [Hugo Chávez: The
           media presidency]. Editorial Alfa. Caracas.
          Cañizález, A. (2012) Pueblo, medios y libertad de expresión [People, media, and
           freedom of expression]. Comunicación. Estudios venezolanos de la
           comunicación. N° 157. pp. 18-19. Fundación Centro Gumilla, Caracas.
          Cañizález, A. (2012) Una libre expresión para hacer más fuerte a la democracia
           [Free speech to make democracy stronger]. Razón y Palabra. N° 81. pp. 1-13.
           Tecnológico de Monterrey. Mexico

Academic Degrees:
2018: Post-Doctorate in Social Science, UCV, Caracas.

2011: Doctorate in Political Science, USB, Caracas.

2013: Master’s Degree in History of Venezuela, UCAB, Caracas.

2008: Graduate Diploma in Transparency and Fight against Corruption, University of Chile,
Santiago.

2004: Diploma of Advanced Studies in Human Rights. UCAB, Caracas.

1997: Master’s Degree in Political Science, USB, Caracas.

1988: Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, UCAB, Caracas.

Work history and professional skills:
2004-Present: Professor-Researcher at UCAB (Maximum ranking at this university: Chair-Doctor)
Skills set: Research, preparation of academic texts, teaching, organization of national and
international seminars, management of international cooperation funds, project management,
teamwork, design of publications.

2010-Present: Director of NGO Medianálisis, dedicated to the promotion of independent
journalism and democracy in Venezuela. Activities performed: Writing of analysis articles, staff
management, organization of training workshops in different locations of the country, search and
management of international cooperation funds, project development.

2015-2018: Project Coordinator in Venezuela for the International NGO People in Need,
headquartered in Prague. Assigned tasks: Environment reports, review of projects submitted by
NGOs, monitoring and evaluation of activities among civil society associations, organization of
training for Venezuelan human rights activists.

2001-2013: Researcher and Editor of the Freedom of Expression chapter in PROVEA Annual
Report. Skills set: Documentation and monitoring of Human Rights violations, pattern setting,
writing of situation reports.

1990-2002: Correspondent for such international media as Prensa Latina, Notimex, German Press
Agency (DPA), EFE Agency, Inter Press Service (IPS) and Radio Nederland, with coverage in
Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, and Ecuador. Skills set: Concise writing, knowledge of
Latin America, field work in coordination with remotely located news desks, analytical ability.

1985-1990: Reporter, then Press Officer, on Radio Fe y Alegría, educational station of the Roman
Catholic Church in Venezuela. Training with ALER facilitators and synergies with the World
Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC by its French initials). Activities
performed: Community communications, teamwork, establishment of independent information
and editorial guidelines.

Short-Term Courses, Researcher Fellowships:
2016: Research Fellowship, CADAL. Buenos Aires.

2012: Fellowship. Sheffield University. Sheffield, UK.

2010: Fellowship, International Forum for Democratic Studies. Washington D.C.

2010: Political Management Workshop, George Washington University, Washington D.C.

2009: Governability and Political Management Program, UCAB, Andean Development
Corporation (CAF by its Spanish initials), and George Washington University. Caracas.

2009: Democracy and Mass Media Course, United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Bogotá.

2007: Freedom of Expression and Information, International Visitor Leadership Program, State
Department. Washington D.C., New York, Kansas City, Seattle, and Austin.

2004: Course on the Problems of Democracy and their Impact on Human Rights, Externado
University of Colombia. Bogota.

2002: Media and Free Speech in the Americas Seminar, International Center for Journalists.
Porlamar (Margarita Island).

2002: Civil Society and Human Rights Course. IIHR. San José.

2000-2001: Training Program in Freedom of Expression. IIHR-UCAB. Caracas.

Awards, Acknowledgements, and Accolades:
2019: Monseñor Pellín Opinion Program Award on Radio for “In This Country”.

2019: Special mention in IPYS national investigative journalism contest to “The voices of JM de
Los Ríos [Hospital]” series, featuring the piece “Me ponía triste con todo lo que oía” (Everything I
heard got me sad), authored by Cañizález.

2014, 2019: Honor Medals, 3rd Class and 2nd Class respectively, UCAB.

2019: Appointed INVECOM President Emeritus for academic career.

2018: 1st place in the Narrative Journalism Prize, awarded by La Vida de Nos and Banesco, for the
autobiographical text “The Crazy Woman’s Son”.

2011-2019: Each academic year, recipient of recognitions as one of the top ten productive
researchers of the UCAB, granted by the institutional evaluation of the university.

2011: Publication recommendation to research for promotion to Professor granted by the jury at
UCAB; Doctor’s thesis high honors acknowledgement from USB.

2015: Teaching and Research Award from Arturo Michelena University. Valencia.

2013: Leoncio Martínez (Leo) Order, granted by Miranda State Government in recognition of
press articles in defense of freedom of expression.

2012: Monsignor Parra León Order of Merit, from the Cecilio Acosta Catholic University for
professional courage in the defense of democratic values.

2010: Titus Brandsma International Award, granted by the International Catholic Union of the
Press, for his work as a journalist and human rights defender.

2010: Special Recognition, Human Rights Awards, granted by the Canadian Embassy in Venezuela.

2009: Luis María Olaso Order, of the Caracas Metropolitan Council, for his role as a defender of
Human Rights.

2005: Monsignor Pellín Research Award, granted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
Venezuela, in recognition for his work as a researcher of communication and journalism.

Languages:
Spanish (Native)

English

Portuguese

Contact:
E-mail: acanizal@ucab.edu.ve / andres.canizalez@gmail.com