Mindanao reporter gets death threats

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 12, 2010) — Death threats are not uncommon to members of the fourth estate, who even “wear it on their sleeves” as a badge of honor.But when these threats become serious, journalists also quake and quiver, given that they, like all human beings, also want self-preservation.

This is what happened to Jigger Jerusalem, a journalist writing for the Mindanao Gold Star Daily based in Cagayan de Oro City, who disclosed that he received death threats in his email twice already from someone who uses the email address alfredleron@yahoo.com.

Jerusalem said that per the threat of “Alfred Leron,” his days “are already numbered.”

“Mr. Jigger Jerusalem, 39 years old, a resident of Purok 5, Puerto, Cagayan de Oro, a news reporter of the city. Man, if you still consider your life important, my appeal is that I would not want to see your face here in Cagayan de Oro anymore, that’s if you still value your life. You can choose among your feet or hands for me to disable,” read part of Leron’s email to Jerusalem on October 7.

“You don’t know who you are up against. A month or two? Think twice if you don’t want others to be implicated. Leave Cagayan de Oro. Bear in mind what I said. Consider this a warning and start counting starting today,” the email continued.

But Jerusalem said he cannot recall having written something that will ignite the anger of someone to the point of killing him.

“I don't know who this person is and I'm sure that this is just an alias. He failed to mention any issue or story that I might have written about that has a connection to the death threat,” he said.

Jerusalem said he is now taking precautions since last October 9 he received another email from the same person.

“Regret always comes last so better think. Have you already started counting your days? Don’t wait for the time to come. The decision is yours,” the email said.

Jerusalem already alerted the police about the threats.

The National Union of Journalist of the Philippines, of which Jerusalem is a safety instructor and officer for Mindanao, is already aware of the threats to one of its officers and have taken the necessary steps to protect him, said NUJP-Mindanao Coordinator JB Deveza.

NUJP Mindanao said the threats “constitute an assault not only to Mr. Jerusalem but also to press freedom as these threats are clearly meant to influence, if not stifle, critical reporting which Mr. Jerusalem, as a member of the press, is only duty-bound to do.

Lawyer Santiago Goking, president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club, said he will talk with Jerusalem regarding this threats before making a calculated move. (Bong D. Fabe)

Zambonga journalist victimized by identity theft on facebook

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A program director and news anchor of Radio Mindanao Network Zamboanga City sought assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group as well as from National Union of Journalists of the Philippines for a facebook account who used his name to extort money.

Gilbert Climaco said he believes he was a victim of identity theft that resulted in harassment, verbal abuse and trauma.

Climaco a radio anchor of Radio Mindanao Network discovered that an unidentified person is using his name, his mug shot photos and personal background through social networking site Facebook.

“I don't have knowledge about using social networking in fact I don't have an account with Facebook or any other social media or networking sites,” Climaco told the NUJP ZAMBASULTA.

In said “Gil Climaco” Facebook account, lewd photos and other pornographic materials are posted tagging all media friends, sources from all government agencies including personal friends, relatives, families and children.

“The impostor is doing negative things against me, maligned me and it has created a lot of mess in my life,” Climaco added whose family, friends, relatives and children are affected, scandalized and traumatized over the postings of photos made by the impostor.

Lorna Fernandez Jumalon a known local painter here and one of those tagged in the said indecent photos initially reacted strongly against Climaco, “I want to hurt him, to slap him again and again.”

Fernandez Jumalon was glad when she learned that said Gil Climaco account was not of the real Climacos.

“What if she was not informed, anybody can just approached me and do something harm on me,” Climaco said.

NBI Assistant Administrative Officer George Perez said Climaco is victim of identity theft and the person or the impostor who used his personal background “has the intention to harm him physically, destroy his honor and image.”

Perez admitted that social networking is also one form of high technology media attack or harassment, “anybody can just create an account and can manipulate other people to attack you, its also a form of media attack.” (NUJP - Julie Alipala)

Filipino journalists remember murdered colleagues

Filipino journalists in the southern city of Kidapawan held a unity run on Wednesday to commemorate the brutal murders of at least 32 media workers in Maguindanao province last year. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Arlene Solmerano)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 23, 2010 – Filipino journalists in the southern city of Kidapawan held a unity run on Wednesday to commemorate the brutal murders of at least 32 media workers in Maguindanao province last year.

The journalists, mostly members of the Mindanao Press Corps, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and the People’s Movement against Impunity and Extrajudicial Killings, demanded justice and urged authorities to end the culture of violence and extrajudicial killings in the country.

At least 32 journalists who were accompanying a political caravan in Maguindanao province had been killed by gunmen in the town of Ampatuan.

Authorities linked the murders to the powerful Ampatuan clan whose patriarch and sons implicated by the police and military in the November 23 attack were arrested and jailed. (Geo Solmerano and Arlene Solmerano)

Filipino journalists, Spanish priest hold rally, protest order clearing 2 in Maguindanao massacre

Members of the Zamboanga Press Club and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and Peace Advocates Zamboanga headed by Spanish priest Angel Calvo hold a rally in Zamboanga City in Mindanao Island on Monday, April 19, 2010 protesting the decision of Justice Secretary Alberto Agra dropping all murder charges against jailed governor Zaldy Ampatuan, of the five-province Muslim autonomous region; and his uncle Akmad Ampatuan, the deputy governor of Maguindanao province, in connection to the brutal slayings of 57 people on November 23, 2009. The two are among over a hundred people, including the clan’s patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr, accused in the massacre in Maguindanao. The Ampatuans are strong political allies of President Gloria Arroyo, who was also accused of poll fraud and cheating in the 2007 elections. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / April 19, 2010) – Local journalists and peace advocates held a rally on Monday in Zamboanga City to protest Manila’s decision to drop all murder charges against the scion of a powerful political clan accused of brutally killing at least 57 people last year in Mindanao.

Members of the Zamboanga Press and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and Peace Advocates Zamboanga headed by Spanish priest Angel Calvo lighted black candles and read a statement condemning the decision of Justice Secretary Alberto Agra in dropping all murder charges against jailed governor Zaldy Ampatuan, of the five-province Muslim autonomous region; and his uncle Akmad Ampatuan, the deputy governor of Maguindanao province, in connection to the brutal slayings of 57 people on November 23, 2009.

The suspended governor said he was in Manila with President Gloria Arroyo when the massacre occurred. The two are among over a hundred people, including the clan’s patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr, accused in the massacre in Maguindanao. The Ampatuans are strong political allies of Arroyo, who was also accused of poll fraud and cheating in the 2007 elections.

Agra served as Arroyo’s lawyer during impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives in 2006. He was one of Arroyo’s lawyers who represented the President in election-related issues in 2004. Arroyo also appointed Agra in 2007 as chief of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel and this year as Justice Secretary.

In his decision, Agra said there was no evidence to link the two Ampatuan to the murder charges.

The Department of Justice earlier junked rebellion charges in connection with the Maguindanao massacre against the Ampatuans, who were on Friday had been flown to Manila and transferred to a tightly guarded prison in Taguig City where Andal Jr is locked up.

The young Ampatuan is accused of leading the killings of 57 people, including at least 32 journalists, who accompanied a political caravan of a rival clan, the Mangudadatus.

The caravan was traveling when it was stopped by gunmen in Shariff Aguak town and killed and buried its passengers in two mass graves in nearby town of Ampatuan. Among those killed were the wife and sister of Esmael Mangudadatu who is running for governor in next month’s polls.

Andal Jr denied all the charges against them and blamed Moro rebels for the massacre, an allegation strongly rejected by authorities.

“We, officers and members of the Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, strongly condemn and oppose this inane and unjust decision and order of the Justice Department. By readily swallowing the stinking alibis of the Ampatuans, the Department of Justice has made itself virtually a co-conspirator too of the Maguindanao Massacre, which is the worst human rights crime in the history of the nation and the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” the NUJP said in a statement.

”A clear pattern to whitewash, as have feared from the start, the charges against the Ampatuans has emerged with the earlier dropping of rebellion charges against the suspects, and now this latest decision. As the whole world and nation know, the Ampatuans are the friends and lackeys of President Arroyo, who herself has been criticized frequently for having no respect for the rule of law. Hence, under this Government and its Administration officials, there is no justice for the Filipinos, particularly for the 57 victims of the Maguindanao Massacre and their families,” it added.

Journalists, who wore black shirts during the rally, also called on Agra to resign.

”We ask the Filipino people to rouse themselves from this oppressive condition and join the NUJP in nonetheless demanding justice for the Maguindanao victims, lest we will be the next victims too – as many have been without redress yet - of this system and culture of impunity and terrorism against innocent citizens or perceived enemies. We ask Acting Secretary Agra to rescind his scandalous order that brazenly co-opts the court and prematurely acquits the two Ampatuans. Save the good, but already badly tattered, name of the Department of Justice, or damn the rule of law and democracy in this land,” the media watchdog said.

Mangudadatu on Sunday said he would pursue the cases against the Ampatuan clan and said he has a witness who linked the jailed regional governor to the murders. “We have a witness that linked Zaldy Ampatuan to the killings. The witness was a former follower of the Ampatuan,” he said.

He said they would appeal Agra’s decision in court. “I cannot say what would come out from this until Agra is there. Agra is the lawyer of the Ampatuans in their election cases so we cannot give any direct statement or tell what would be the outcome of the cases,” Mangudadatu said.

Lawyer Harry Roque who represents the victims of the massacre said they would oppose Agra’s order clearing the two Ampatuans of all criminal charges against them. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine journalists protest order clearing 2 in Maguindanao massacre

Justice Secretary Alberto Agra. A media poster showing a forensic expert digging the body of one of 57 people murdered in Maguindanao province in November 23, 2009.

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / April 18, 2010) – Various Filipino media groups have questioned Manila’s decision to drop all murder charges against the scion of a powerful political clan accused of brutally killing at least 57 people last year in Mindanao.

Journalists following the slow progress of the case of the so-called “Maguindanao massacre” are to hold simultaneous rallies on Monday to protest the decision of Justice Alberto Agra to drop murder charges against Zaldy Ampatuan, the suspended governor of the five-province Muslim autonomous region; and his uncle Akmad Ampatuan, the province deputy governor of Maguindanao.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said journalists in Bacolod City in Negros province have already organized a rally on Sunday.

The families of those killed in the massacre will also have a press conference on Monday in General Santos City in Mindanao and so is the NUJP in Manila.

“We have to react. This is very important. Agra’s decision was extremely disturbing. It is eroding the already shaky trust we have on the Department of Justice and the justice system,” the regional chapter of the NUJP said in a statement.

The NUJP is also expected to come up with a position paper about the latest development on the multiple murder charges against the Ampatuan clan.

Journalists in Mindanao said they would also wear black beginning Monday to protest Agra’s decision to absolve the two wealthy and influential Ampatuans.

The two are just some of the more than 100 people accused in the November 23 killings. Among those accused were the clan’s patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr, the governor of Maguindanao, and his sons Andal Ampatuan Jr, who is also the mayor of Datu Unsay town; and Sahid Ampatuan.

The Ampatuan clan is a strong political ally of President Gloria Arroyo, who was accused of poll fraud and cheating in the 2007 elections. Agra served as Arroyo’s lawyer during impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives in 2006. He and lawyer Romulo Macalintal represented the President in election-related issues in 2004.

Arroyo also appointed Agra in 2007 as chief of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel and this year as Justice Secretary. In his decision, Agra said there was no evidence to link the two Ampatuan to the murder charges.

The Department of Justice earlier junked rebellion charges in connection with the Maguindanao massacre against the Ampatuans, who were on Friday had been flown to Manila and transferred to a tightly guarded prison in Taguig City where Andal Jr is locked up.

The young Ampatuan is accused of leading the killings of 57 people, including at least 32 journalists, who accompanied a political caravan of a rival clan, the Mangudadatus.

The caravan was traveling when it was stopped by gunmen in Shariff Aguak town and killed and buried its passengers in two mass graves in nearby town of Ampatuan. Among those killed were the wife and sister of Esmael Mangudadatu who is running for governor in next month’s polls.

Andal Jr denied all the charges against them and blamed Moro rebels for the massacre, an allegation strongly rejected by authorities.

Mangudadatu on Sunday said he would pursue the cases against the Ampatuan clan and said he has a witness who linked Zaldy Ampatuan to the murders. “We have a witness that linked (Zaldy) Ampatuan to the killings. The witness was a former follower of the Ampatuan,” he said.

He said they would appeal Agra’s decision in court. “I cannot say what would come out from this until Agra is there. Agra is the lawyer of the Ampatuans in their election cases so we cannot give any direct statement or tell what would be the outcome of the cases,” Mangudadatu said.

Lawyer Harry Roque who represents the victims of the massacre said they would oppose Agra’s order clearing the two Ampatuans of all criminal charges against them. (Mindanao Examiner)

Kidapawan journalists remember Maguindanao massacre

Journalists in Kidapawan City light candles and offer prayers Tuesday, march 23, 2010 for victims of the so-called Maguindanao massacre. At least 57 people were killed, among them 32 journalists, in the province on November 23, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Geo Solmerano)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 24, 2010) – Filipino journalists pray as they commemorated the brutal slayings of at least 32 journalists who were among 57 people brutally murdered in the province of Maguindanao last year.

Members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines gathered Tuesday in Kidapawan City and offered prayers. Four months have passed since the gruesome killings, but the slow progress of the investigation is also putting a heavy toll on the families of the slain journalists.

The journalists were accompanying a political caravan of Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu when some 100 gunmen allegedly led by rival Andal Ampatuan Jr, the mayor of Ampatuan town in Maguindanao, intercepted them and herded them to the hills and shot.

Ampatuan and two of his brothers and father and other clan members were eventually arrested and charged in connection to the mass murder. The Ampatuans denied all accusations against them. (Geo Solmerano)

Philippines Editor Receives Death Threats

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) calls on the Philippines government to urgently investigate a series of threatening messages sent to Newsbreak editor-in-chief Marites Danguilan Vitug in the national capital region of Manila in the past week.

According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), an IFJ affiliate, Vitug received two text messages from an unknown mobile phone number.

One of the messages reportedly said,“Your kind is the reason why journalists are being killed. Ampatuan had valid reason to kill those journalists. I wish you were one of them.”

The message refers to the massacre of 58 people including 32 journalists in Maguindanao on November 23, 2009. Several family members of Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr including his son Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr were arrested as suspects in late 2009.

The threats follow the release of Vitug’s controversial book, Shadow of Doubt on March 16 which deals with allegations of corruption against judges of the Philippines Supreme Court.

Vitug is also facing a libel suit filed by Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco for an article she wrote about him last year.

The NUJP quoted Vitug as saying she made the threat public “because this is the best protection.”

“In an environment where attacks on press freedom are frequent and violent and all too often unpunished, all measures must be taken by authorities to quash any potential risk to the personal safety of individual media personnel,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“Only by actively pursuing justice against all perpetrators of violence against the Philippines media will the authorities be able to send a message that such impunity will no longer be tolerated.”

The IFJ stands in solidarity with the NUJP and other local media organisations as they honour the courage of their colleagues in commemorating the four-month anniversary of the November 23 massacre. (IFJ)


Link: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00453.htm

Filipino journalists light candles in memory of slain colleagues

Members of the Zamboanga Cityy Press club and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines light candles late Wednesday, December 9, 2009 in the memory of 30 journalists who were among 57 people brutally killed last month in Maguindanao province. Journalists on Wednesday also visited the mass graves where the masaacre victims were discovered on November 23. Police say at least 161 gunmen led by the scion of a powerful political warlord, Andal Ampatuan Jnr, the mayor of Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao province, led the attack. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / December 9, 2009) – Dozens of journalists on Wednesday lit candles in the memory of 30 colleagues who were among 57 brutally killed last month in the southern Maguindanao province.

Members of the Zamboanga City Press Club and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also held a prayer and read a statement demanding justice for all those murdered November 23 in the town of Ampatuan.

“We must not rest until each and every criminal charged and meted the punishment due them – for it’s only thru this that we can at least say that justice has been served. Our campaign for the pursuit of justice must be relentless and focused. Let us not leave any stone unturned until all these have been brought to light,” the statement said.

The two media organizations said 106 journalists have been murdered in the Philippines since President Gloria Arroyo took power in 2001. They said the Philippines has been regarded as the most dangerous country in the world for journalists.

“The death of our colleagues is rooted by the failure of the government to put a stop to the culture of impunity in our society. As we join the global campaign against impunity, we are urging not only the government, but the public as a whole, not to let the Ampatuan massacre be passed without giving justice to our colleagues,” the statement further reads.

A group of journalists also visited Wednesday the mass graves in Ampatuan town and offered prayers and candles for the souls of those slain in the attack allegedly led by the scion of a powerful political warlord, Andal Ampatuan Jnr, who is the mayor of Datu Unsay town.

The victims were on a convoy when more than 160 gunmen held them in the Ampatuan stronghold of Shariff Aguak town and herded all of the victims to Ampatuan town where they were shot in the face and body and buried in three mass graves, along with three of their vehicles.

The journalists were accompanying the wife and sisters, and supporters of Buluan town vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu who is running for governor of Maguindanao, which is currently being held by Ampatuan’s father and namesake, who is also the governor of the province.

Both father and son, along with Zaldy Ampatuan, the governor of the Muslim autonomous region, and several clan members were arrested in connection to the mass murders. They denied involvements in the killings. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Journalists Remember Murdered Colleagues In Maguindanao

Filipino journalists light candles Saturday, November 28, 2009 after a Catholic mass led by Archbishop Romulo Valles in Zamboanga City for the souls of 57 people, among them at least 29 journalists massacred in the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines. Six more journalists are still unaccounted. A town mayor Andal Ampatuan Jnr, scion of the powerful Ampatuan clan, is accused of masterminding the killings which police say is election-related. The politician denies all accusations against him and blames the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels for the November 23 massacre, an allegation flatly rejected by authorities. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 28, 2009) – A group of Filipino Journalists offered a Catholic mass on Saturday in Zamboanga City to remember the 57 people, including more than two dozen colleagues, brutally killed in Maguindanao province in the Muslim autonomous region in the southern Philippines.

The mass, led by Archbishop Romulo Valles, was held at the open-air Catholic shrine called Fort Pilar and also attended by about 200 people. "This mass is offered for those who were killed in Maguindanao," the Reverend Valles said, as he called on media workers to stay vigilant.

Members of the Zamboanga Press Club and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines ended the mass with the lighting of candles that symbolized each of those massacred on November 23 in the town of Ampatuan.

Reporters Without Borders, quoting media reports, said 29 journalists were among those murdered. Six more journalists are still unaccounted for.

A town mayor Andal Ampatuan Jnr, scion of the powerful Ampatuan clan, is accused of masterminding the killings which police said was election-related. The politician, who is said to be running for governor in Maguindanao in next year’s polls, denied all accusations against him and blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels for the massacre, an allegation flatly rejected by authorities.

His father, Andal Ampatuan Snr, is the current governor of Maguindanao while his elder brother, Zaldy Ampatuan, is the governor of the Muslim autonomous region to which the province belongs.

The United Nations urged the Philippine government to fully investigate the brutal slaying of 57 people. “This monstrous crime must not go unpunished,” said Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Bokova urged the Arroyo government to carry out a full and swift investigation into the murderous attack.

The UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom.

“I condemn this outrage and urge the Government of the Philippines to act swiftly, using all the resources at its disposal to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The barbaric killings of the people in the convoy – journalists and citizens alike – were clearly an attack against democracy and democratic processes. Furthermore, the killing of journalists violates the rights of the Philippine people to be freely and fairly informed of political developments,” she added.

The journalists were traveling in a convoy with the wife and relatives and supporters of Buluan town vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu in Maguindanao’s Shariff Aguak town when they were held by more than 100 gunmen from a rival faction and herded to a remote hillside where they were executed. (Mindanao Examiner)

Journalists gather in Davao City for training on human rights reporting

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Some 30 Filipino journalists have gathered Friday for a series of seminar and workshop on human rights reporting in Davao City in the southern Philippines.

Jeffrey Tupaz, secretary-general of the local chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said the two-day seminar at the Eden Nature Park and Garden Resort in Toril District is expected to enhance the participants’ awareness and understanding of the situation of the tri-people of Mindanao - the Lumad, Moro and Christians - to improve reportage on peace and human rights issues concerning these sectors.

With the theme “Sensible and Sensitive: Journalism for Human Rights,” the seminar-workshop also invited resource persons from non-government organizations and senior media practitioners to encourage interactive discussion among participants for a better understanding of these issues.

The training workshop is sponsored by the Initiatives for Peace in Mindanao and the Resource Center for People’s Advocacies, in coordination with the the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and with the support of the World Association for Christian Communication.

The Media Under Arroyo: A Legacy of Bloodshed and Repression

President Gloria Arroyo during a meeting Sunday, July 26, 2009 with the Education Task Force at Malakanyan.(Val Escalera)

MANILA, Philippines - On July 27, when President Gloria Arroyo delivers what is supposed to be her final state of the nation address before the constitutionally mandated end of her term in June next year, we expect her, of course, to give a glowing account of her nine years in power.

We have no intention of disputing her claims. But for the Philippine media, the Arroyo administration will be remembered for a legacy of bloodshed and repression, its acts of omission and commission nurturing the impunity with which the enemies of press freedom have operated.

By the time she steps down, Arroyo’s watch will have seen a death toll accounting for more than 60 percent of the journalists murdered since the supposed democratic restoration of 1986 and almost twice that under the 14-year Marcos dictatorship.

Only in three cases have we seen convictions under her term, but only of the gunmen, none of the masterminds.

As for repression, it can be argued that no administration has shown such open contempt and hostility toward media or been so cavalier with the constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of the press and of expression than this one.

How else would one interpret then Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez’s quip that most of the slain journalists were either womanizers or involved in drunken revelry, or First Gentleman Mike Arroyo’s making the then dying Dipolog broadcaster Klein Cantoneros an example of what befalls supposedly irresponsible media practitioners during a speech before the Negros Press Club a few years back?

No government since the dictatorship has attempted a wholesale clampdown on the media as Arroyo’s did during the short-lived state of national emergency she declared in 2006.

Not only did her storm troopers raid the Tribune and tramp threateningly through the parking lots of the two major broadcast networks, Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo even had the temerity to threaten the takeover of a network that was interviewing live because it had allowed a military mutineer to say his piece.

And who can forget the sight of some 50 journalists marched off to a police camp in the aftermath of the Manila Peninsula takeover, their sole crime the performance of their duties; or the brief detention of as many journalists covering the humanitarian crisis in central Mindanao by Army soldiers in Maguindanao province?

It has also been under this administration that security forces have openly branded media organizations as “enemies of the state,” as the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines did in its infamous “Knowing the Enemy” PowerPoint presentation in 2005, and the Army’s 10th Infantry Division with its recently discovered order of battle.

We would like to stress here that we have received reliable reports that, notwithstanding the military’s promise that it would pull the “Knowing the Enemy” presentation, it has continued to be shown in schools and urban poor communities in Metro Manila.

Neither did Arroyo lift a hand when her husband wielded the antiquated libel law like a bludgeon, filing multiple suits against 46 journalists in what was a clear abuse of his powers and privileges.

Nor did Arroyo rein in House Speaker Prospero Nograles from using the same law to torment broadcaster Alex Adonis.

Neither has she shown any inclination to exercise her influence over her congressional allies to stop them from further pushing the right of reply bill, which would place control of media content in the hands of politicians hungry for power and fame.

This administration’s animosity toward freedom of the press and of free expression takes other forms as well, such as the censorship and prior restraint exercised by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in requiring public affairs programs to submit their tapes for review before these can be aired, or slapping “X” ratings on films critical of government.

It should also be stressed that under the nearly nine years of the Arroyo administration, no measure has been passed to improve the living and working conditions of journalists and media workers. Most of them suffer low wages and lack of job security and benefits amid the growing risks of attacks and killings, especially in the provinces.

If the Philippine media remain free, it is no thanks to this administration’s lip service professions of respect for the freedoms of the press and free expression but rather to the tenacity with which Filipino journalists have resisted all attempts to cow them into submission and silence.

It is a tenacity that will see the independent Philippine media remain so on the very day Arroyo steps down from power and beyond.


Signed by the NUJP National Directorate, 2008-2010:

Nestor Burgos (Philippine Daily Inquirer), chairperson
Nonoy Espina (freelance), vice chairperson
Sonny Fernandez (ABS-CBN), secretary-general
Alwyn Alburo (GMA7), deputy secretary-general
Rowena Paraan (PCIJ), treasurer
Marlon Ramos (Philippine Daily Inquirer), auditor
Julie Alipala (Philippine Daily Inquirer), director
Day Caluza (Philippine Daily Inquirer), director
Cheryl Fiel (davaotoday.com), director
Jun Godoy (dxOC), director
John Heredia (Abri Gana Productions, Capiz), director
Danny Lucas (ABS-CBN), director
Ilang-Ilang Quijano (Pinoy Weekly), director
Arnell Ozaeta (dzMM), director
May Rodriguez (freelance), director

Kidapawan journalists celebrate World Press Freedom Day with veteran radio man who survived kill attempt

Members of the National Union Journalist of the Philippines, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas and the Mindanao Press Corps in Kidapawan City celebrate World Press Freedom Day with veteran radio commentator Alberto Martinez at his safe house in Mindanao. Martinez has been in hiding after surviving an assassination attempt in 2005. Martinez has filed criminal charges against three people, one of them a government soldier, who tried to kill him.

(Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

World Press Freedom Day: Nothing to Celebrate

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

Again, the working journalists of the Philippines mark World Press Freedom Day not in celebration of its vibrant existence but by renewing our vows to continue struggling to bring it to full fruition and remembering our many colleagues who have lost their lives in its pursuit.

If there is anything to celebrate on this day, it is the bravery and persistence with which independent Philippine journalists insist on exercising freedom of the press and of expression in the service of the people’s right to know despite the many dangers they face, not least of which is death.

Indeed, the 64 journalists who have lost their lives since the ascension of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to power in 2001 – the worst record of any administration, including the 14-year Marcos dictatorship – is glaring proof of how, according to the International Federation of Journalists, press freedom is eroded by government “censorship, hypocrisy, and neglect.”

The IFJ was, of course, speaking of governments in general. But it could very well have been singling out the Arroyo government, whose inaction and general apathy towards the murder of journalists has nurtured the culture of impunity surrounding these killings and emboldened those who seek to silence the critical press.

In fact, in what amounts to an admission that it is unwilling or unable to stop the murder of journalists, the Philippine National Police has launched a harebrained scheme to train media practitioners to protect themselves – through firearms proficiency.

Not surprisingly, since aside from not acting to end the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice, this administration is the only one after the dictatorship to attempt the wholesale muzzling of the Philippine press, as it did during the state of national emergency of 2006 and the mass arrest of journalists covering the military mutineers who took over the Manila Peninsula Hotel in November 2007.

It is especially galling and hypocritical for some officials of this administration to even try to explain the killings of journalists as the offshoot of corruption and a lack of ethics among the victims.

For, if corruption and lack of ethics were a justification for murder, they should be the last people to invoke this.

Like many of our countrymen, we, too, have despaired of ever finding justice under this administration.

But this despair, far from cowing us, has only steeled our resolve to continue serving our people’s right to know and defending and advancing freedom of the press and of expression in our country. This much we owe to our fallen colleagues. This much we owe to our people. This much we owe to our country.

Zamboanga media stand united vs. controversial Right of Reply Bill

Zamboanga City journalists finish Monday, March 23, 2009 the seminar-workshop on Reporting on Extra-Judicial Killings and the controversial Right of Reply Bill conducted by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in cooperation with the Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP). NUJP Secretary-General Sonny Fernandez, PAZ's Father Angel Calvo and noted lawyer and civic leader Vic Solis, of the KBP, are among the resource speakers in the two day-event. (Mindanao Examiner Photos)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 23, 2009) – Members of the local media on Monday joined the growing calls to scrap the controversial Right of Reply Bill that Congress is trying to pass, describing the proposed law as an affront to press freedom.

The reaction came following a forum on the Right of Reply Bill initiated by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Zamboanga-Sulu-Basilan-Tawi-Tawi Chapter (NUJP ZamBaSulta) in partnership with Peace Advocates Zamboanga here.

Most of the participants were editors, newspaper publishers, television and radio station managers, reporters, and correspondents of national newspapers. They said the bill was ill-conceived and that lawmakers who were pushing for it did not even consult the media.

Noted lawyer and civic leader, Vic Solis, counsel for the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), told journalists a similar law in the United States has been proven as a senseless attempt to curtail press freedom.

Sonny Fernandez, NUJP Secretary-General, who was also one of the forum’s resource persons, described the pending bill as “redundant,” since journalists in the country have their own Code of Ethics and the KBP its program standards, which require media to air report balance and responsible news.

According to the Philippine Press Council, the Senate in June passed on second reading the Right of Reply bill based on the original filed by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel. Jr.

While Senate Bill No. 2150 still seeks to fine editors in chief and publishers up to P50, 000, it has done away with the threat of imprisonment. The previous version called for a maximum 30 days in prison.

A new provision, in Section 9, says that the publication of a reply does not bar a complainant from seeking "other remedies."

On the other hand, the bill also proposes a "sunset" period of seven years, after which the law automatically lapses.

Also, the compliance period has been extended to three days from one day.

The Philippine Press Institute also opposed a mandatory, legislated, compulsory, court-enforceable Right of Reply on the ground that prior compulsion violates a publication's editorial independence and is thus unconstitutional (cf Miami Herald v. Tornillo 418 US 241 [1974]). Instead it supports a Voluntary Right of Reply through its Press Council.

The bill lists Senators Pimentel, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Francis Escudero as authors.

The PPI has also called for the repeal of an existing, election-period right-of-reply requirement in Section 10 of the Fair Election Act of 2001 (Republic Act 9006).

Fernandez said: “They can bring the case to the court if they have problems, but not come up with a law that allows them to dictate on what the media should broadcast or print.”

Both proposed bills state that "all persons…who are accused directly or indirectly of committing, having committed or intending to commit any crime or offense defined by law, or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in behavior in public or private life shall have the right to reply to charges or criticisms published or printed in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or publications circulated commercially or for free, or aired or broadcast over radio, television, websites, or through any electronic devices."

The bill also mandates that these replies be "published or broadcast in the same space of the newspapers, magazine, newsletter or publication, or aired over the same program on radio, television, Web site or through any electronic device."

“The danger in the Right of Reply bill is it would legislate what the media ‘ought’ to publish or air, while casting a chilling effect that could dissuade the more timorous from publishing or airing what they should,” the primer stated.

The penalties ranges from P10, 000-P50, 000 and imprisonment to the editor-in-chief, station manger or broadcast owner who fails or refuses to publish or broadcast the reply as mandated by the bill.

Journalists here said the bill is an outright violation of the Constitution, saying that no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of the press.

The NUJP ZamBaSulta Chapter released a statement Monday urging the government’s Executive and Judiciary departments “to pre-empt further development of the Bill, even in its most-watered down version, by a taking the side of media’s dutiful opposition and make their prompt and public declarations against it.”

They also lambasted Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. for authoring the bill.

“We in particular are shamed by the fact that a senator who established his reputation as a human and civil rights defender and advocate, Senator Pimentel, is a son of our homeland of Mindanao,” the group said.

“Is it not enough that many Mindanao journalists have been killed and harassed and continue to fear for their lives in the course of faithfully discharging their sacred duty to the people so that the good Senator further terrorizes and penalizes us with the threat of statutory extreme prejudice?” NUJP asked

Local media practitioners also signed a unified statement that calls for the abolition of the bill. The signature campaign has so far gained support from more than 900 media practitioners and organizations all over the country.

Fernandez said a total of 40 lawmakers have guaranteed not to support the bill.

“We are continuously appealing to our senators and congressman not to support the bill as a respect to press freedom,” he said.

Journalists also finished a seminar and workshop on Reporting Extra-Judicial Killings in the Philippines, which is tagged as one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists. NUJP recorded 64 journalists murdered in the country since President Gloria Arroyo came into power in 2001. (With reports from Darwin Wee and Jung Francisco)

NUJP Primer on the Right Of Reply Bill

PRIMER ON THE RIGHT OF REPLY BILL. PREPARED BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES.


1. What is the Right of Reply Bill (RORB)?

The RORB is Senate Bill (SB) 2150 being proposed by Senators Aquilino Pimentel Jr, Ramon Revilla Jr, and Francis "Chiz" Escudero, as a substitute bill to SB 1178.

In the Lower House, it is House Bill (HB) 3306 which is the merged version of HBs 162 and1001 authored by Representative Juan Edgardo Angara and Monico Puentevella.

2. What is the subject of this bill?

In the original version, the bill provides for the right of individuals and groups to respond to news stories released by the media that referred to or criticized them.

The RORB mandates media organizations to publish or broadcast the reply of an individual, group, company, agency, or institution that was criticized, accused, or quoted in a news story, statement, or opinion in newspapers, television and radio stations, the Internet, and any other electronic device, such as cellphones.

3. What are considered sufficient bases for an individual or group to reply to a released news story?

Based on the original version of the RORB, criticism based on innuendo, suggestion, and rumor constitutes a sufficient basis for them to have their reply published.

The version of the Lower House includes as an obligation of the media the responsibility to correct any previous story should the court find an accused not guilty of the crime imputed against him/her.

4. What is prescribed to be the length of the reply?

The RORB mandates that the reply to be published or broadcast be of the same length as the previously published or broadcast story involving the individual or group. In the Senate version, libelous allegations in the reply may be removed.

This means that the bill allows the release of a reply or rejoinder in newspapers, TV and radio stations, the Internet, and cellphones (through SMS news), regardless of its relevance or substance.

This also means that it�s possible for news stories to contain mere views or reactions by any person who wants to comment on any story which he/she feels are referring to their person.

In both versions, the publication or broadcast of the reply are free of any charges or fees.

5. In which part of the newspaper, TV and radio programs, Internet, and SMS news should the reply be published or broadcast?

RORB mandates that the reply be published in the same space of the concerned publication, or aired over the same program on television, radio, the Internet, or any other electronic device, where the subject story first appeared.

For example, if a story appeared in the upper fold of the front page of a newspaper, the bill mandates that the reply be published in the same exact position.

If the subject story appeared on the first gap of the TV or radio news program, the bill mandates that the reply be aired over the same slot.

6. When should the reply be published or broadcast?

In the Senate version of the RORB, it is mandated that the reply be published within three days after the concerned media organization receives the reply.

In the version of the Lower House, the reply needs to be published or broadcast a day after the publication or broadcast of the subject story.

7. Should it be passed, what are the penalties for violations of the RORB?

Senate version:

1st offense - P10,000

2nd offense - P20,000

3rd offense - P30,000

4th and subsequent offenses - P50,000

House version:

1st offense � P10,000

2nd offense � P30,000

3rd offense - P50,000 and imprisonment for no more than 30 days

4th offense - P100,000 and imprisonment for no more than 30 days

For subsequent offenses - P200,000, imprisonment for no more than 30 days, and closure or suspension of the franchise of the publication or broadcast station for 30 days.

8. Are block-timers also subject to the proposed law?

Block-timers are independent news and public affairs producers who pay TV and radio stations for the broadcast of their programs (e.g., The Probe Team). The RORB mentions that block-timers are subject to the Code of Ethics or to self-regulation being implemented by the TV or radio station from which they purchase time slots.

9. Why should the RORB be opposed?

The RORB clearly preempts and undermines the right of publishers, editors, and producers to decide on which news stories they will feature. The RORB dictates what should and should not be published or broadcast by media organizations way before the latter can even decide on which issues are to be discussed.

This is undoubtedly a form of prior restraint. Prior restraint or any other form of legislation aimed at thwarting the freedom of the press is prohibited under the Constitution.

The bill, which prescribes the timeframe, length, and manner of publication or broadcast of replies, is a clear manifestation of an attempt to unduly impose upon media practice.

Also, the penalties prescribed in the RORB � such as imposition of fines, imprisonment, and closure and suspension of the franchise of the concerned media outlet � is an apparent breach of press freedom.

10. What does the sunset clause of the RORB state and why is it problematic?

The Senate version includes a sunset clause under section 10, or a period of effectivity should it be passed into law. The sunset clause states that law shall take effect for a period of seven years, unless the Congress extends its effectivity.

Therein lies one possible motive behind the bill: It must be remembered that the length of service of government officials are from three (local officials and district representatives) to six years (president, vice president, and senators).

The passage of the bill, which is currently being railroaded, also coincides with the 2010 elections, and with the term of the President, Vice President, and other government officials. Therefore, when passed into law, the bill will be very much open to abuse by a few high-ranking officials.

12. What are the other implications of the passage of the RORB?

It�s possible for news stories to contain mere replies by supposedly aggrieved parties which will result in reduced space for more important news stories and even for commercial advertisements. As such, it�s also possible for publications, TV and radio stations, and online news resources to incur losses and be compelled to cease operations.

The proposed law is also vulnerable to abuse by politicians and government officials for their own selfish interests.

13. What about the rights of people whose reputations have been marred by stories delving into their private life, profession, and person?

The rights of any person to an untainted reputation and to privacy are upheld by the Constitution. The media respect, support, and defend these rights.

If a person�s reputation, private life, and character have been the subject of accusations or criticism, it is that person�s right to be given the chance to defend himself/herself regardless of whether or not there exists a Right of Reply Law.

The media currently enacts its responsibility to the people to be fair and balanced in their reportage by getting all possible sides to an issue; it is certain and part of standard editorial procedures to get the side of a person or group involved in an issue.

14. Is there a guarantee that private people are given the right to defend themselves should they be the subject of a news story?

Journalists and media organizations have their own policies and a Code of Ethics which they are expected to adhere to. Also, other media organizations have their own and more specific policies and ethical codes which they implement.

15. If there is no Right of Reply Law and a publication or program fails or refuses to release the reply of an aggrieved person or group, what other recourses can be taken?

If a person or group has complaints against or reactions to a published or broadcast news story, there are a number of possible actions:

1. The complaint may be filed with the editor or publisher of the publication, or with the producer, news manager, or owner of the TV or radio station, or SMS news;

2. If the concerned media organization fails to act on the issue, the complaint may be filed with a press council if there exists one in your area;

3. Complaints may also be filed with organizations of journalists and media workers, like the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, a union of media workers, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, and other organizations;

4. A lawsuit can also be filed if there is a violation of the libel law (defamation, baseless accusation), contempt law (if speedy execution of justice is prevented or blocked by a person or group with a pending case in court), or sub judice (violation of the restriction on discussing in news stories the merits of a case currently pending in court)

16. Is there a Right of Reply Law in other countries?

The United States Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the Right of Reply Law. And while similar laws exist in some countries in Europe, such laws cover only inaccuracy in information and not opinions or insights.

17. What is the current status of the RORB in Congress?

It was railroaded in the Senate on June 2008 and is currently on second reading in the Lower House.

In both instances, leading media organizations like the Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA 7, ABS-CBN, DZBB, Inquirer.net, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines were not consulted. Community newspapers and provincial radio and TV stations were also not consulted. Simply put, there was no comprehensive consultation conducted by the Senate and the Lower House.


When the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines decried the RORB, a number of Senators withdrew their support for the bill. Only six to seven senators remain staunch in their call to enact the RORB.

18. What courses of action were taken by the majority of media organizations upon learning of the RORB?


The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines immediately released a position paper after a thorough scrutiny of the issue.

NUJP leaders conferred with several media organizations to get their opinion about the bill. Some of the organizations that NUJP officials visited were GMA 7, ABS-CBN, ABC 5, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Malaya, DZRH, DZBB, RMN, and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

In a Roundtable Discussion and Unity Press Conference convened by the NUJP on February 10 and 24, all participating organizations agreed to express their unflinching opposition to the RORB.

In a first dialogue between the media and leaders of the Congress on March 3, the two parties remained steadfast in their position.

According to the legislators, led by House Speaker Prospero Nograles, they will persist in pushing for the approval of the RORB. Representatives Puentevella at Bienvenido Abante, primary authors of the bill, said they have amended the bill and removed some provisions, particularly those prescribing stiff penalties. Senador Aquilino Pimentel Jr., one of the authors of the RORB approved by the Senate, similarly proposed amendments to the RORB.

19. Now that there are amendments to the provisions, are media organizations withdrawing their opposition to the RORB?

No. The media reiterate that the Right of Reply Bill is a violation of the Constitution where the freedom of the press is enshrined. It translates to an undue imposition of what stories may or may not be published or aired.

The freedom of the press must not be compromised, as such is a fundamental threat to a democratic society such as ours.

The media are opposed to any amendments to the RORB as the bill still remains a material intervention to an unfettered journalistic practice.

Any law which seeks to impair or undermine press freedom should not be negotiated on and should be met with the fiercest resistance.

In light of this, all concerned media practitioners and organizations demand that the Right of Reply Bill be scrapped.

20. What should be done to block the passage of the RORB into law?


Make people understand that even while the media already uphold a person�s right to privacy, there are existing procedures and remedies for any one to be able to express his/her opinion on any news story and the Right of Reply law is hence unnecessary;

Make people appreciate the fact that issue of press freedom is also their issue; if press freedom were to be suppressed, much of what happens around us will be censored and the people will be left in the dark as to their country�s true state of affairs;

Encourage your district representatives to oppose the RORB;

Attend hearings, forums, and dialogues about RORB and express your position;

Text your friends to support the call of media practitioners to scrap the RORB;

Talk, write, and send a message via e-mail, Friendster, Facebook, and text to your district representatives and let them know your position about RORB;

If you are a media practitioner, sign the petition currently circulated across the nation.

For other details, please contact the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, landline (02) 411-77-68, email: nujphil@gmail.com or visit www.nujp.org.


TAGALOG BERSYON


1. Ano ang Right of Reply Bill (RORB)?

Ang RORB ay ang Senate Bill 2150 na ipinanukala nina Senador Aquilino Pimentel Jr, Ramon Revilla Jr, at Francis "Chiz" Escudero, bilang kahaliling panukalang batas sa SB 1178.

Sa Kamara, ito ang House Bill 3306 na mula naman sa pinagsamang House Bill 162 at 1001 nina Representative Juan Edgardo Angara at Monico Puentevella.

2. Tungkol saan ang panukalang batas na ito?

Sa orihinal na bersyon, binibigyan nito ng karapatan ang mga tao o grupo na sumagot sa balitang lumabas sa media na pinupuna, pinatatamaan o pinag-uusapan sila.

Inoobliga ng RORB ang mga organisasyon ng midya na ilabas ang sagot ng isang indibidwal, grupo, kumpanya, ahensya o institusyon na pinuna, inakusahan, o kinunan ng pahayag sa isang balita, pahayag, o opinyon sa dyaryo, telebisyon, radyo, Internet at anupamang elektronikong aparato, gaya ng cellphone.

3. Ano ang basehan ng isang tao o grupo para sumagot sa lumabas na balita?

Batay sa orihinal na bersyon ng RORB, sapat na basehan na ang pasaring (innuendo), tsismis, o puna sa balita para sila ay magpadala ng tugon.

Sa bersyon ng Kamara, isinasama ang obligasyon ng midya na iwasto ang anumang naunang balita sakaling ihayag ng korte na walang sala ang isang akusado sa isang krimen.

4. Gaano kahaba ang maaaring ipadalang tugon?

Ipinag-uutos sa RORB na ang ilalabas na tugon ay may kaparehong haba sa naunang nailathala o naibalita. Sa bersyon ng Senado, tatanggalin ang parte ng tugon na malisyoso o libelous.

Ibig sabihin, pinapayagan ng batas na ilabas sa dyaryo, Internet, telebisyon, radyo o cellphone (sa pamamagitan ng SMS news) ang isang tugon o rejoinder, may katuturan man ito o wala.

Nangangahulugan itong posibleng ang lamanin ng balita ay pawang mga tugon o sagot lamang ng sinumang taong nais magbigay ng pahayag sa anumang balita o lathalaing sa hinala nila�y pinatutungkulan sila.

Sa parehong bersyon, walang bayad ang paglalabas ng tugon.

5. Saang bahagi ng dyaryo, telebisyon, radyo, Internet, at sms news sa cellphone maaaring ilabas ang sagot?

Kung saang bahagi unang inilabas ang balita o lathalaing sinasagot, ipinag-uutos sa RORB na doon din ilalagay ang tugon.

Halimbawa, kung lumabas ang lathalain sa itaas na bahagi ng unang pahina ng isang dyayo, ipinag-uutos na doon din ilabas ang tugon.

Kung sa unang pasok ng mga balita sa telebisyon o radio lumabas ang inirereklamong balita, ipinag-uutos na doon din isahimpapawid ang tugon.

6. Kailan dapat ilabas ang tugon?

Sa bersyon ng Senado ng RORB, ipinag-uutos na ilabas ang tugon sa loob ng tatlong araw matapos matanggap ang tugon ng kinauukulang organisasyon ng midya.

Sa bersyon naman ng Kamara, kailangang ilabas ang tugon sa loob ng isang araw matapos ang pagpapalabas o paglalathala ng sinasagot na balita.

7. Ano ang parusa sa mga lalabag sa RORB kapag naisabatas na ito?

Sa bersyon ng Senado:

1st offense - P10,000

2nd offense - P20,000

3rd offense - P30,000

Para sa kasunod na mga paglabag - P50,000

Sa bersyon ng Kamara:

1st offense � P10,000

2nd offense � P30,000

3rd offense - P50,000 at pagkakakulong nang hindi hihigit sa 30 araw

4th offense - P100,000 at pagkakakulong nang hindi hihigit sa 30 araw

Para sa kasunod na mga paglabag - P200,000, pagkakakulong nang hindi hihigit sa 30 araw at pagpapasara at pagsuspindi ng prangkisa nang 30 araw.

8. Sakop din ba ng panukalang batas ang mga block-timer?

Ang tinatawag na mga block-timer ay ang independiyenteng mga news and public affairs producer na nagbabayad ng renta kada oras sa isang istasyon ng telebisyon o radyo para mailabas ang kanilang programa (halimbawa, The Probe Team). Binabanggit ng RORB na saklaw ang mga block-timer ng Code of Ethics o ng self-regulation na ipinatutupad ng istasyon ng telebisyon o radyo kung saan sila nagbabayad ng upa sa pagpapalabas ng kanilang programa.

9. Bakit dapat tutulan ang pagsasabatas ng RORB?

Malinaw na pinangungunahan ng RORB ang mga publisher, editor, o producer sa mga balita o lathalaing ilalabas nila. Bago pa man makapagpasya ang mga organisasyon ng midya sa kung ano ang kanilang ibabalita, idinidikta na ng RORB ang mga balita o usaping dapat at hindi dapat ihayag.

Ang tawag dito ay prior restraint. Ang prior restraint o anupamang uri ng batas na susupil sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag ay ipinagbabawal ng Konstitusyon.

Ang pagtatakda ng batas ng oras, haba, at paglalapat ng ilalabas na tugon ay isang malinaw na anyo ng pagdidikta sa mga editor o producer ng balita.

Ang parusang krimen sa paglabag sa RORB kapag naisabatas ito - gaya ng pagbabayad ng mga multa, pagkakakulong, at pagsususpindi ng prangkisa at pagpapasara ng media outlet - ay malinaw ding paglabag sa malayang pamamahayag.

10. Ano ang sinasabi ng sunset clause sa RORB at bakit ito problematiko?

Sa bersyon ng Senado, may tinatawag na sunset clause o tagal ng pagpapatupad ng batas, na nakapaloob sa seksyon 10. Nakasaad dito na magkakaroon lamang ng bisa ang RORB sa loob ng pitong taon, maliban kung muli itong ipatupad ng Kongreso.

Mahihinuha mula rito ang isang posibleng motibo sa likod ng RORB: Matatandaang ang termino ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno ay mula tatlo (lokal na mga opisyal, mambabatas) hanggang anim na taon (mga senador, pangulo at pangalawang pangulo).

Kasabay ng minamadaling pagpapatupad ng batas ang halalan sa 2010, at maging ang panahon ng panunungkulan ng Pangulo at Pangalawang Pangulo, at ng iba pang opisyal ng pamahalaan. Bukas, kung gayon, ang batas sa pang-aabuso ng iilang makapangyarihan.

12. Ano ang iba pang implikasyon ng pagsasabatas ng RORB?

Posibleng puro tugon na lamang ang lamanin ng mga balita, na magbubunsod ng mas kaunting espasyo para sa mas mahahalagang balita at maging para sa mga patalastas. Dahil dito, posibleng malugi at mapilitang magsara ang mga dyaryo, istasyon ng telebisyon at radyo, at online na mga mapagkukunan ng balita.

Posibleng ring gamitin at abusuhin ng mga kandidato, pulitiko at iba pang opisyal ng pamahalaan ang RORB para sa kanilang pansariling interes.

13. Paano naman ang karapatan ng mga taong nasira ang reputasyon dahil sa pakikialam sa kanilang pribadong buhay, trabaho o pagkatao?

Ang karapatan ng sinumang tao sa malinis na reputasyon at pribadong pamumuhay ay itinataguyod ng Konstitusyon. Iginagalang, sinusuportahan at ipinagtatanggol ng midya ang mga karapatang ito.

Kung kinuwestyon ang reputasyon o pribadong buhay at pagkatao ng isang tao, karapatan ng apektado na magkaroon ng pagkakataong ipagtanggol ang sarili may Right of Reply Law mang umiiral o wala.

Kasalukuyan nang ginagampanan ng midya ang responsibilidad nito sa mamamayang maging patas at balanse sa pagbabalita sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng iba�t ibang panig sa isang isyu; awtomatiko at karaniwan nang patakarang editoryal ang ilabas ang panig ng apektadong tao o grupo.

14. May garantiya bang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga pribadong tao na maipagtanggol ang kanilang sarili at linisin ang kanilang reputasyon sakaling maging paksa sila ng anumang balita?

May sariling mga panuntunan at Code of Ethics na sinusunod ang mga mamamahayag. Gayundin, may sarili at mas detalyadong mga panuntunan at code of ethics ang ilang mga organisasyon ng midya.

15. Kung walang Right of Reply Law at hindi inilabas ng pahayagan o programa ang tugon ng naagrabyadong tao o grupo, ano ang maaaring gawin?

Kung may reklamo o reaksyon ang isang tao o grupo sa inilabas na balita, maraming aksyong maaaring isagawa:

1. Maaaring maghain ng reklamo sa mga editor o publisher ng dyaryo, o sa producer, news manager o may-ari ng istasyon ng telebisyon at radio, o SMS news;

2. Kapag hindi inaksyunan ng kinauukulang partido, maaaring magreklamo sa press council kung mayroong itinatag sa inyong lugar;

3. Maaari ring magreklamo sa mga samahan ng mga mamamahayag o manggagawa sa midya, gaya ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, unyon ng mga manggagawa sa midya, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, at iba pa;

4. Maaari ring maghabla kung nagkaroon ng paglabag sa libel law (paninirang-puri, walang basehang puna), contempt law (kapag pinigilan o hinarangan ang mabilis na pagkuha ng hustisya ng isang tao o grupo na may kaso sa korte), sub judice (pagsuway sa patakarang naghihigpit sa pagtalakay sa balita ng kasong kasalukuyang dinidinig sa hukuman)

16. May Right of Reply Law ba sa ibang bansa?

Idineklara ng Korte Suprema ng Estados Unidos na labag sa Saligang Batas ang Right of Reply Law. Bagamat may ipinatutupad na katulad na batas sa ilang mga bansa sa Europa, saklaw lamang nito ang maling mga impormasyon at hindi ang mga opinyon o saloobin.

17. Ano ang kasalukuyang katayuan ng RORB sa Kongreso?

Mabilisan itong ipinasa sa Senado noong Hunyo 2008 at nasa pangalawang pagdinig na ito sa Kamara.

Sa parehong pagkakataon, hindi inimbitahan ang maraming malalaki at pangunahing samahan sa midya gaya ng Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA 7, ABS-CBN, DZBB, Inquirer.net, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility at National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. Sa madaling salita, walang malawakan at komprehensibong konsultasyong isinagawa ang Senado at Kamara.

Kung ang malalaking organisasyon ng media ay hindi inimbitahan, lalong hindi kinonsulta ang mga pahayagang pang-komunidad, at mga provincial radio at TV station.

Nang ipamandila ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines ang usapin sa RORB, iniurong ng maraming senador ang kanilang suporta para rito. Anim hanggang pitong senador na lamang ang naninindigan para isabatas ang RORB.

18. Ano ang ginawang aksyon ng malaking bahagi ng midya nang malamang may RORB na ipinoproseso sa Kongreso?


Agad na naglabas ng position paper ang National Union of Journalists of the Philippines matapos pag-aralan ang usapin.

Inikot ng mga lider ng NUJP ang maraming mga samahan ng midya upang kunin ang kanilang saloobin. Kasama sa mga binisita ng NUJP ang GMA 7, ABS-CBN, ABC 5, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Malaya, DZRH, DZBB, RMN, at Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

Sa isang Roundtable Discussion at Unity Press Conference na ipinatawag ng NUJP noong Pebrero 10 at 24, nagkaisa ang lahat ng nakilahok na mga samahan na tutulan ang RORB.

Sa unang paghaharap ng midya at mga lider ng Kamara noong Marso 3, parehong nanindigan ang dalawang partido sa kani-kanilang posisyon.

Ayon sa mga mambabatas, sa pangunguna ni House Speaker Prospero Nograles, itutuloy nila ang pagtutulak na isabatas ang RORB. Binanggit din ng mga may-akda ng panukala na sina Puentevella at Bienvenido Abante, inamyendahan nila ang panukala. Marami raw silang tinanggal na probisyon gaya ng mabibigat na parusa. Ganito rin daw ang ginawa ni Senador Aquilino Pimentel Jr. na isa sa may-akda ng ipinasang RORB sa Senado.

19. Ngayong may mga pag-amyenda na sa mga probisyon, sinasang-ayunan na ba ng midya ang RORB?

Hindi. Nanindigan ang media na ang Right of Reply Bill ay paglabag sa Saligang Batas na nagtataguyod ng malayang pamamahayag. Ito ay pagdidikta sa mga balitang ilalabas ng midya.

Hindi dapat ikompromiso ang karapatan para sa malayang pamamahayag. Makakasira ito sa demokrasyang umiiral sa lipunan.

Tutol ang media sa anumang pag-amyenda sa RORB dahil nananatili pa rin itong panghihimasok sa karapatan sa malayang pamamahayag.

Hindi matatawaran o maidaraan sa negosasyon ang anumang batas na sisira o magpapahina sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag.

Dahil dito, hinihingi ng lahat ng mga kasapi ng midya na tuluyan nang ibasura ang Right of Reply Bill.

20. Ano ang maaring gawin upang mapigilan ang pagsasabatas ng RORB?


Ipaunawa sa taumbayan na bukod sa itinataguyod ng midya ang karapatan sa pagkapribado ng isang tao, marami nang umiiral na paraan upang maipahayag ng sinuman ang kanyang reaksyon o pagtutol sa anumang balita at hindi na kailangan kung gayon ang Right of Reply Law.

Ipaalam sa taumbayan na ang usapin sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag ay usapin din nila: kung susupilin ang malayang pamamahayag, hindi mailalabas ang maraming katotohonan sa nangyayari sa ating paligid at gagawing mangmang sa katotohanan ang maraming mamamayan;

Himukin ang mga mambabatas sa inyong lugar na tutulan ang pagsasabatas ng RORB;

Dumalo sa mga pagdinig, forum o pakikipag-usap tungkol sa RORB at ipahayag ang inyong posisyon;

I-text ang mga kakilala upang suportahan ang panawagan ng midya na na ibasura ang RORB;

Kausapin, sulatan, i-e-mail, i-friendster, i-facebook at i-text message ang inyong mambabatas at ipaalam ang inyong posisyon tungkol sa RORB;

Kung ikaw ay isang kasamahan sa media, pumirma sa petisyong kasalukuyang ipinakakalat sa buong bansa.

Para sa iba pang detalye, makipag-ugnayan sa National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, landline (02) 411-77-68, email: nujphil@gmail.com o bumisita sa www.nujp.org.

Attack on Mindanao radioman condemned

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemns
the attack on Cagayan de Oro broadcaster Nilo Labares of Radio
Mindanao Network’s station dxCC who was shot and seriously wounded the
evening of March 5, 2009.

Colleagues describe Labares as a hard-hitting commentator who was
active in denouncing illegal activities such as cockfights and
unlicensed entertainment joints in his city when he was attacked.

Cagayan de Oro journalists say Labares informed his colleagues at RMN
that he had been receiving threats before the attack and, at one
point, was approached by an emissary of a "powerful" personality who
warned him to stop his tirades against video carera and even asked how
much it would take him to do so.

His network has said Labares has been declared out of danger. But
while, we hope for his speedy recovery, we worry that his safety is
far from assured and demand that authorities
act posthaste to secure him and others who may be under threat.

Again, while we reiterate that we see no proof of any official policy
of directly attacking journalists, we nevertheless lay the blame for
this and previous assaults on our colleagues, too many of who have
been silenced permanently, on the government, whose inaction and
apathy, as well as its actual attempts to muzzle the media and curtail
freedom of the press and expression, have nurtured the culture of
impunity that emboldens those who wish to silence us.

The situation is not helped any by the efforts of ill-advised
lawmakers to craft repressive legislation like the right of reply
bill, or to sabotage efforts to expand democratic space like that
which perverted what would have been a bill to decriminalize libel
into one that would be even more draconian than the existing law.

These continued attempts to silence the independent media, whether
through physical assaults, government attempts at control or devious
legislation are alarming symptoms not just of a general breakdown in
law and order but, worse, of an increasing drift toward repression.

We do wish we are wrong and dare government to prove us so.

Unfortunately, that may be wishful thinking.

Nevertheless, we call on our colleagues and the public we serve to
band together and refuse to waver. Only our united resistance and
determination can prevent those who seek to rob us of our freedoms.

NUJP ZamBaSulTa condemns attempt on broadcaster's life

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Chapter is once again alarmed over the growing number of journalists harassed and killed in Mindanao in recent months.

We strongly condemn the latest attempt to kill another journalist on Thursday evening.
Cagayan de Oro broadcaster Nilo Labares of Radio Mindanao Network’s station dxCC was on his way home when he was attacked by armed men, who pulled a trigger on his back, wounding him seriously.

Fortunately, he is now out of danger and recuperating.

The attack on Labares is the second attempt to kill local journalists just this year. On February 28, Ronaldo Doong, a block-time broadcaster, sustained bruises and cuts when he was attacked by two armed men while travelling along the highway in Colorado village in Digos City around 10 a.m.

The recent attack is also the fourth since the death of Badrodin Abas, a block time broadcaster of dxCM in Cotabato City and the secretary general of the United Bangsamoro Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD) on January 21. In the other case, Ernesto Rollin, a broadcaster of radio station dxSY - Times Broadcasting Network, in Ozamis City, who was all brutally murdered on February 23.

We urge the authorities to conduct immediate, fair and just investigations in these killings and the attempt to murder journalists. These attacks on journalists constitute an attack against our democratic institutions including the rule of law.