Mindanao Women Writers To Hold Journalism Training In Southern RP

COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 25 Jun) – The Mindanao Women Writer's Association of the Philippines (Min-Wow, Phil.) and IsIs International will conduct a four-day training and seminar to female writers and journalists based in Mindanao.

The training, organizers said, will start on July 4 at Notre Dame Foundation Center in Cotabato City. Lina Reyes, Min-Wow local coordinator, said the training will be mostly on radio broadcasting and news writing in order to enhance skills of the participants.

She said Bianca Miglloritto, IsIs- international coordinator, will be the training’s focal person. The said training will also discuss special documentary lessons. The BBC-News reporters from Germany, who are invited to the training, are expected to discuss television documentary.

Last week, German video-journalist Antonia Koop, of the Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON), also held a free training and seminar for Filipino reporters in the central Philippine region of Visayas. (Becky de Asis)

Media Watch Dog Investigates Shooting Of Filipino Journalist

The Committee to Protect Journalists said it was investigating whether the shooting of journalist Arnie Pullan on the central Philippine island of Iloilo was related to his work as a radio host.

An unidentified gunman shot and seriously wounded Pullan on December 1 as he left the station
of MBC-Radio Natin in the town of Estancia. Pullan hosts a radio show called “The Mayor’s Hour” with Rene Cordero, the mayor of Estancia.

He was shot twice in the head while riding a motorcycle with councilor Butch Aclaro, according to the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), and local and international news reports. Aclaro’s injuries are not known.

Police did not say whether the shooting was journalism-related. Cordero claimed the attack was politically motivated “because Pullan and Aclaro are my men and supporters,” according to a local daily in Iloilo.

Retired police general Restituto Mosqueda, who is challenging Cordero for the mayoralty, called suggestions that he was behind the attack “libelous, unfounded, brazen lies and baseless,” according to the Iloilo City-based daily The News Today.

Mosqueda condemned the shooting and alleged that Cordero himself may have orchestrated it.

The Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist, according to CPJ research. At least three journalists were killed this year in relation with their work.

“We deplore the shooting of Arnie Pullan, and call on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and to bring those responsible to justice,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon.

“Attacks on writers and broadcasters in the Philippines, where journalists are often allied with political candidates, are far too common, and pose a real threat to press freedom.” (Committee to Protect Journalists)

Murder Attempt Against Radio Presenter

Reporters Without Borders also urges investigation into death of Antony Licyayo of Radyo Cagayano...

In less than a week a radio presenter has been badly wounded in a murder attempt on Panay island, central Philippines and a peasant leader, who was a producer of a community radio, has been murdered on Luzon island in the north of the country.

"Once again, journalists who put themselves at the service of a politician or a cause, like that of the peasant farmers have fallen victim to contract killers who operate with impunity", said Reporters Without Borders."We urge the local and national authorities to probe these violent attacks against radio presenters. The Philippines police must continue their efforts to get these killers convicted, as happened recently in the case of Marlene Esperat", the organization said.

Arnie Pullan, presenter on local radio MBC-Radyo Natin and municipal councilor Butch Aclaro were seriously injured when they were shot at by two people riding a motorbike in Estancia, Panay island, central Philippines on 1st December.

Pullan was taken to hospital in a critical condition with head injuries. He presented the program "The Mayor's hour", in support of the city mayor, Rene Codero, who immediately accused his political opponents of having instigated the murder attempt.

In the Philippines, local radios sell time slots to private individuals known as "block timers" who can then broadcast their own commercial or political programs.

Peasant leader Antony Licyayo, 38, was murdered by an unknown assailant as he was leaving for work on 27 November with his 18-month old son in his arms. His organization supported the community radio Radyo Cagayano in Baggao, Luzon island.

The global community radio body AMARC said the radio exposed the harsh life of the peasant and military corruption. It previously came under attack on 2 July when masked and armed men torched the broadcast studios. (Reporters Sans Borders)