DEATH OF PRESS FREEDOM?

[KAMAGONG]

Military spies are recyling enemies of the state. They may be critical to the government but not to topple the present government. Media expose' of graft and corruption is helping the governmnent to track down erring officials. A mass media crackdown may be a recipe for martial law.


Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) tag National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism are enemies of the state. The revelation comes at a time the Philippines has been tagged the worst place to be a practicing journalist outside of war-torn Iraq. Inquirer News Service April 01, 2005

[KAMAGONG]

It seems that their investigative reporting and graft and corruption expose’ in their localties triggered their deaths. Maybe traditional politicians, warlords, shabu traders, gambling lords and their allies think they are untouchables or kingpins in their turf. Speaking for the truth has its price-DEATH! List of casualties of war against abuse of power and corruption. I believe they are heroes of democracy.

1. Marlene Esperat The Midland Review 3-24-2005
Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat

2. Arnulfo Villanueva Asian Star 2-28-2005
Express Bulletin Naic, Cavite


3. Ruel Endrinal DZRC
2-11-2004
Legazpi City

4. Eliseo "Ely" Binoya Radyo Natin
6-17-2004
General Santos City South Cotabato

5. Roger Mariano DZJC-Aksyon Radio 7-31-2004
Laoag, Ilocos Norte

6. Arnnel Manalo DZRH/Bulgar 8-5-2004
Bat@ngas

7. Jonathan Abayon RGMA Superadyo 8-8-2004
General Santos City

8. Fernando Consignado Radio Veritas 8-12-2004
Laguna

9. Romy Binugcal Remate 9-29-2004
Bataan

10. Eldy Gabinales DXJR-FM 10-19-2004
(Eldy Sablas) Surigao del Sur

11. Gene Boyd Lumawag MindaNews 11-12-2004
Jolo, Sulu

12. Herson Hinolan Bombo Radyo 11-13-2004
Kalibo, Aklan

13. Michael Llorin Freelance 11-13-2004
photojournalist Manila

14. Allan Dizon Freeman Cebu 11-23-2004
Banat News, Cebu City

15. Stephen Omaois Guru News Weekly 12-1-2004
Tabuk, Kalinga
Edgar Amoro Freelance broadcaster
2-5-2005
Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur


1. Marlene Esperat The Midland Review 3-24-2005
Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat

2. Arnulfo Villanueva Asian Star 2-28-2005
Express Bulletin Naic, Cavite

3. Ruel Endrinal DZRC
2-11-2004
Legazpi City

4. Eliseo "Ely" Binoya Radyo Natin
6-17-2004
General Santos City South Cotabato

5. Roger Mariano DZJC-Aksyon Radio 7-31-2004
Laoag, Ilocos Norte

6. Arnnel Manalo DZRH/Bulgar 8-5-2004
Bat@ngas

7. Jonathan Abayon RGMA Superadyo 8-8-2004
General Santos City

8. Fernando Consignado Radio Veritas 8-12-2004
Laguna

9. Romy Binugcal Remate 9-29-2004
Bataan

10. Eldy Gabinales DXJR-FM 10-19-2004
(Eldy Sablas) Surigao del Sur

11. Gene Boyd Lumawag MindaNews 11-12-2004
Jolo, Sulu

12. Herson Hinolan Bombo Radyo 11-13-2004
Kalibo, Aklan

13. Michael Llorin Freelance 11-13-2004
photojournalist Manila

14. Allan Dizon Freeman Cebu 11-23-2004
Banat News, Cebu City

15. Stephen Omaois Guru News Weekly 12-1-2004
Tabuk, Kalinga

16. Edgar Amoro Freelance broadcaster
2-5-2005
Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur

Fellow cybercitizens let’s DEFEND PRESS FREEDOM!

[googley_bear]

when i heard and read such question on the news, i laughed my head off, because press (or media) here in the Philippines cannot be any more free than it already is. we have newspaper writers/columnists, radio commentators, tv anchors who can print and express whatever they want, say whatever they feel like saying, and show whatever they think could get the highest ratings.

our media is so daring that they risk their credibility and integrity for the sake of better ratings. where else could you find a country where the worst news is most often highlighted, while the good news is on the background, if not ignored altogether. the reason? good news are boring, they do not increase ratings or readership.

what died in this country is not press freedom, but responsible journalism.

[yaka_ubo]

googley_bear,

Hit the nail right on it's head. Where's responsible journalism in this country?

Anybody in the media can talk openly about just anything that can make a person a hero or a vilain overnight. Including unprove theories and allegations without proofs or basis and yet these media people are free from legal suits hiding in the cloak of "press freedom".

[anak ni poloko]

googley_bear,

Hit the nail right on it's head. Where's responsible journalism in this country?

Anybody in the media can talk openly about just anything that can make a person a hero or a vilain overnight. Including unprove theories and allegations without proofs or basis and yet these media people are free from legal suits hiding in the cloak of "press freedom".

freedom of the press is actually a very broad term. gamay da an mga elements na inkinahanglan, so biskan mga binulastog da as long as present an mga elements, its within the cloak and protection of this very interesting constitutional guarantee.

[BONSAL]

Let's define what we mean by "press freedom" first. What is freedom without responsibility?

[pispanero]

Let's define what we mean by "press freedom" first. What is freedom without responsibility?

amo ini yahitabo sa ato kuman na panahon, subrahan da nan "freedom" kanaman mga irresponsable na an mga tao.

but i dont blame the media people who are like that, in the first place sa ato society amo da nan kun mas grabe an imo mahitsismis, madayawi kaw sa ila panan aw. take for example yadton case nan yadtom bold star na babaye, yanginabuhi da intawon iton tao tapos paga trip pan nan mga reporter. an resulta, yaka dawat nan award yadton reporter. paiti inin ato kahimtang kuman.

[Aprodite_Erra24]

Sadly, both th press people and those who are responsible for killing them, are to blame... if the former hadn't ignited such an enormous flame out of an unnoticeable mole hill, the latter would not have reacted that much. Some of our media men sometimes put so much sensationalization to such a very simple case. They somehow blow things out of proportion from what it really is. Viewers often have a hard time differentiating reality from fiction because it seems all too real. It should not be the case because the world is still not totally sticking it's nose into relativity. There are still truths that need to be 100% true and not half-baked.

[KAMAGONG]

Declaration of common concern

WE speak as one on a grave and common danger to our struggling democracy.

Free and independent journalists are facing virtual extinction through the final form of censorship: murder.

The unabated slaying of journalists, which has caught the attention of the international press community, poses a serious danger to what Alexis de Tocqueville characterized as the chief instrument of freedom.

As such the danger to a free press is a danger to society itself.

Servitude cannot be complete if the press is free. A servile press is the clear message of censorship by death.

Our country has once experienced how it was to be denied the right to criticize and dissent. With the unprecedented number of journalists killed, everyone is deprived of the right to free thought, speech, and expression.

As Thomas Jefferson truly said, "Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost".

As journalists, we are not so naïve as to claim, or demand, absolute immunity from the risks of pursuing our professions in a society marred by corruption and violence. But freedom of the press is guaranteed by our constitution and our laws as essential to the life of a democratic nation. For this reason, journalists need the protection of the free institutions that they serve.

In times of social oppression, the virtue is not to be free but to fight for freedom. This is the daily round of the press.

We are not unaware of the weaknesses of our community. Albert Camus observed that nations are not sure of going toward justice and peace with freedom of the press. But without freedom of the press, they are sure of not getting there.

It is facetious of officials to urge non-governmental organizations, which need protection themselves, to protect journalists from undue harm.

We will do our job of reporting and commenting on the news as fairly, as impartially, and as fearlessly as we can. Let the government do its job of defending the Constitution, executing the laws, and protect the lives and properties of citizens.

We have our respective obligations to society. We have our assigned missions.
(Statement signed by Amado P. Macasaet, chairman, Philippine Press Institute; Ferdie Maglalang, president, Malacañang Press Corps; Joe Egco, Defense Press Corps and Association of Armed Forces Journalists of the Philippines; Federico D. Pascual, President, Capampangan in Media, Inc.; Boy Togonon, Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas; Recto Mercene, chairman, Airport Press Club; Roger Arienda, chairman, , Samahan ng mga Komentarista sa Pilipinas; Doris Dumlao, director, Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines; Tony Antonio, president, National Press Club; Larry Sevilla, South Cotabato Press and Radio Club and Publishers Association of General Santos; Rudolf E. Jularbal, secretary general, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas; Inday Espina Varona, chairman, National Union of Journalists in the Philippines; Neal H. Cruz , Adrian E. Cristobal, Vice Chairman; Rolando Eastabillo, president, Julius Fortuna, vice president, Samahang Plaridel, Inc.; Antonio Lopez, president, Manila Overseas Press Club) May 10, 2005 MALAYA Editorial

[BONSAL]

i understand the clamor for justice for those who have been murdered. and my heart goes out to them and their family. but isn't it too much for the people to blame the government for each media person getting killed? so what is the government to do, assign bodyguards for each and every member of the media to ensure they won't be harmed?

look at how irresponsible the media has become: a few journalists have been killed and already they cry that press freedom has died. if press freedom has died, you can't print it in the first place.the media in this country enjoys so much freedom to such a point that they neglect their responsibilities to the people: correct, accurate and unbiased information.

[Aprodite_Erra24]

We must take note that every action has an implication or a repercussion to the society, more so if it concerns a great deal of the functioning society. Every journalist has to carefully lay out all the unbiased and accurate proof for any speculation because they will never know what will hit them if they don't give a damn about what their reports might cost them. They must know their real responsibility to the populace. They need not sensationalize issues that do not really need "screaming titles". Press freedom after all, comes with responsibility...

[Guest]

To bonsal & Aprodite_Erra24:

Nice notion. That's the reason why i am against in too much freedom. Too much freedom intoxicates. Everything in too much...is addictive!

[yaka_ubo]

To bonsal & Aprodite_Erra24:

Nice notion. That's the reason why i am against in too much freedom. Too much freedom intoxicates. Everything in too much...is addictive!

[terapi]

i admire those journalist who speaks for the truth and i pity those who digs news just for ratings sake.In the first place, responsible journalism is supposed to give us honest news and views for pure information and whatever honest content the report brings some people will be hurt that their egos will be disturbed and crushed and their superegos will be outpowered by their egoistic concerns which would result to the killing of the person who's only concern is to report the truth.

[Aprodite_Erra24]

We need not be blinded by the common consensus. Truth shall be the thumbmark of our day-to-day dealings..