CARACAS, Venezuela – Hundreds gathered in Venezuela on Friday to
demand justice after a group of journalists protesting media
regulations were kicked, punched and beaten with sticks.

Attackers injured 12 of the journalists on Thursday as they passed out
leaflets warning against a new education law that critics fear could
lead to indoctrination in schools.

Photos of the violence showed apparent supporters of President Hugo
Chavez descending on the group, then shoving, kicking and beating them
with sticks. The journalists, some bloodied in the confrontation,
later reported the attackers shouted slogans in support of Chavez's
government.

The leading Caracas daily Ultimas Noticias, which has a government-
friendly editorial line, said 12 journalists employed by its newspaper
group were injured. The paper ran a front-page headline declaring:
"Enough with the violence!"

The government condemned the violence and ordered an investigation. No
arrests have been made.

Ultimas Noticias quoted witnesses saying the attackers emerged from a
pro-government television station, Avila TV. It published a photograph
showing a group pummeling a person lying on the pavement, while two of
the attackers wielded sticks.

Avila TV denied involvement in a statement, calling the accusations
one of "many attacks" aimed at discrediting the station.

On Friday, about 300 protesters led by journalists chanted "Freedom of
expression!" outside the attorney general's office. Some held signs
with photos of injured reporters under the words: "Stop the aggression
against journalists!"

Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami condemned the violence, saying the
journalists were protesting peacefully when attacked. They had been
handing out fliers warning against a provision of an education law
that outline sanctions for reports that "produce terror" among
children or incite hate. The legislation was approved early Friday by
lawmakers allied with Chavez.

The reporters were attacked a couple of blocks away from the National
Assembly, where police broke up a larger protest with tear gas.

"A man hit me over the head with a stick," reporter Maria Rondon told
Ultimas Noticias. Another journalist, Sergio Moreno, said a woman
struck him on the back with a rock.

Carlos Lauria of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists
urged the government to "prosecute those responsible to the full
extent of the law." The Inter American Press Association urged an
"immediate and complete investigation."

Tensions have been on the rise between Venezuela's private media and
Chavez's government. Earlier this month, regulators forced at least 32
radio stations off the air, refusing to renew some licenses and
revoking others because officials said they failed to comply with
regulations.

Chavez has repeatedly clashed with media outlets he accuses of
conspiring against him.

Lauria said Chavez and his government should abstain from using
inflammatory language against the media. "It promotes a climate, an
environment, where these incidents happen," he said.

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