IDD is available. Country code: 58.
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to around Caracas and major cities.
There are Internet cafes in most urban areas.
President Chávez's attitudes towards the media have attracted criticism from external watchdogs. A 2005 media law banned the inappropriate airing of scenes of sex and violence, as well as material deemed harmful to national security. Opponents of the bill claimed it was an attempt to silence media criticism. Both private and state-owned broadcasters operate in the country. President Chávez has his own weekly TV and radio programme.
Press: The English-language daily newspaper is
The Daily Journal, published in Caracas. Spanish-language dailies include
El Nacional (website:
www.el-nacional.com)
, El Mundo (website:
www.elmundo.com.ve),
El Universal (website:
www.eluniversal.com)
and
Ultimas Noticias (website:
www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve).
TV: Venezolana de Television is Government-run. Other channels include Caracas-based
Radio Caracas Television (RCTV), private networks
Televen and
Venevision and 24-hour news channel
Globovision.
Telesur is a pan-American broadcaster based in Caracas.
Radio: Radio Nacional de Venezuela is a state broadcaster with 15 stations.
Union Radio Noticias is a commercial news network.
There is an efficient mail service from Venezuela to the USA and Europe. Airmail to Europe takes three to seven days. Internal mail can sometimes take longer. Surface mail to Europe takes at least one month.