Venezuela's presidential campaign officially kicked off on July 4, yet months prior, both government and opposition factions have crisscrossed the country, rallying support ahead of the upcoming polls. However, their media treatment starkly contrasts.

While independent and international media extensively cover rallies led by leading opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, major national broadcasters maintain a conspicuous silence. State channels, when mentioning Machado, often portray her as culpable for Venezuela's economic woes, attributing them to international sanctions which, they say, she supports.

Following her disqualification confirmed by the Supreme Court, which many view as politically motivated, Machado has pivoted to endorsing Edmundo González Urrutia, a last-minute substitute unanimously supported by the opposition Democratic Unity Platform (PUD). Their campaign efforts, though, face considerable media hurdles.

In a recent France 24 interview in Caracas, Edmundo González and Machado discussed their rocky relations with domestic media. Machado lamented, "When was the last time you saw me on air? It's been years. Journalists cover our events with good intentions, but the coverage rarely makes it to national broadcasts. People find out through other means."

González echoed concerns over media censorship, citing restrictions on political leaders' travel within the country and media blackouts aimed at controlling information flow.

Alejandra González, a veteran journalist, noted a long-standing pattern of media control dating back to Hugo Chávez's presidency. Speaking to France 24, she highlighted incidents such as physical attacks on media outlets and closures, including the prominent case of RCTV in 2007, shuttered under accusations of supporting a coup.

"Initially, censorship targeted advertisers to strangle media finances. Later, there was an influx of buyers with vested interests," she explained, hinting at the case of El Universal, formerly a major independent newspaper turned into a government mouthpiece in 2014 through a hostile takeover. "Today, digital media face self-censorship, limiting free journalism in Venezuela."

National broadcasters rarely feature interviews with opposition leaders – a practice reportedly enforced through implicit directives rather than official decrees from the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel). Even after a brief appearance on state TV, Edmundo González has since been absent from open-signal channels, despite the imminent election.

President Nicolás Maduro has denied accusations of media censorship, claiming, in turn, to be a victim of social media bans and international misinformation campaigns targeting his administration. However, NGOs report regular violations of freedom of expression, including closures of media outlets after interviewing opposition figures.

As Venezuela navigates a contentious electoral season, media freedom remains a pivotal issue, poised to shape public discourse and access to information amidst increased global scrutiny ahead of the pivotal vote slated for July 28.