B. Precautionary Measures 7. On January 29, 2002, Globovisión requested precautionary measures from the Commission to protect the rights to personal integrity and freedom of expression of María Fernanda Flores, vice president of Globovisión; Mayela León, journalist; and Jorge Manuel Paz, cameraman, along with workers from the channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV). On January 20, 2002, the named journalists had been assaulted by a group of roughly 50 persons while they were covering a transmission of the program Aló Presidente. On January 30, 2002, the Commission requested the State to adopt measures to protect the lives and personal integrity of the named individuals as well as the necessary measures to protect the security of all of the employees and property of Globovisión and RCTV. The Commission also requested the State to refrain from any action that could have an intimidating effect on the professional activities of the workers of the two media. Finally, the Commission requested that the State carry out a thorough investigation of the events of January 20. The State was given a period of 15 days to inform the Commission regarding the concrete measures adopted to comply with its request. 8. On March 11, 2002, the State responded that the Attorney General's Office had commissioned two prosecutors of the Circumscripción Judicial del Area Metro de Caracas to initiate the corresponding investigation, to clarify the facts, and to establish responsibility. Additionally, the State informed that the Director General of Police Coordination had met with the three named journalists from Globovisión and that the journalists had rejected personal protection, asking only for police contact numbers to use if necessary. On March 20, the State's response was delivered to the Petitioners. 9. On May 30, 2002, the State sent another letter stating that the case ofGlobovisión was in the investigation phase and that the corresponding protection measures had been carried out. This letter was transmitted to the Petitioners on June 19, 2002. 10. On July 17, 2002, the Petitioners requested the Commission to extend the duration of the precautionary measures and expand them to include all of the workers and installations of Globovisión. On July 29, 2002, the Commission extended the measures for six additional months and expanded them to apply fully to all employees of Globovisión and RCTV. Additionally, the State was requested to carry out a thorough investigation of all acts of intimidation and attacks against the employees and property of Globovisión and RCTV. Again, the State was given a period of 15 days to inform the Commission of the steps taken to comply with request. 11. On January 28, 2003, the Petitioners requested another extension of the measures, which was granted by the Commission on February 5, 2003. 12. On October 20, 2003, the Petitioners requested a further extension of the precautionary measures, alleging that the attacks against them were continuing and that the government had not complied with the previously granted precautionary measures. On October 22, 2003, the Commission extended the precautionary measures for another six months and established a period of 15 days for the government to submit its observations on the implementation of these measures. 13. On November 20, 2003, the Petitioners submitted additional information regarding their situation. This information was transmitted to the State, which was asked to submit its observations within a period of 15 days. III. POSITIONS OF THE PARTIES A. Position of the petitioners 2