Baguio City – The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Baguio – Benguet Chapter (NUJP Baguio Benguet) backs the recommendations made by UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Irene Khan on addressing the threats of libel and red tagging.
In a statement the NUJP Baguio Benguet said “NUJP Baguio-Benguet is one with Khan in her statement that the State is mandated to protect the people and welcome statements that red tagging and libel compromise not only freedom of expression but also security and the right to life.”
Khan was in Baguio City, January 26, for a dialog with civil society groups, city officials, and the media which included the NUJP Baguio Benguet.
NUJP Baguio-Benguet has recorded at least three cases of cybelibel charges involving five journalists and two media outfits in the Cordillera.
“Libel and cyberlibel charges drain resources, especially for small newsrooms and community journalists. The legal battle, which usually drags on for years, also leads to psycho-social impacts like diminished morale and self-censorship. There is also the added risk of harassment and vilification, especially when the complainants are public officials,” the NUJP local chapter stressed.
The statement read “We also welcome Khan’s views on the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) and the lack of grit of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) to protect the media.”
NUJP Baguio Benguet in their submitted position paper said “The Presidential Task Force for Media Security (PTFoMS), formed to protect journalists, has also been involved in maligning the media. This, and its tendency to dismiss attacks against journalists as unrelated to their job, speaks volumes about its ineptness in upholding press safety and freedom.”
The NUJP local chapter added action from the Philippine government on issues of the Anti-Terror Act, Cybercrime Prevention Act and the plight of Frenchie Mae Cumpio is awaited.
Khan was in the Philippines on a 10-day visit to assess the state of free expression and press freedom in the Philippines and Baguio City, was included in her itinerary. NUJP Baguio Benguet
