Press Freedom Protection Archives

After seven years in jail, Myles Albasin and five others acquitted

CMFR/PHILIPPINES— The Regional Trial Court Branch 42 in Dumaguete City has acquitted community journalist Myles Albasin and five others, known as the Mabinay 6, after more than seven years in detention. On September 22, the court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, the charges of...

Journalists Assaulted, Obstructed, and Exposed to Tear Gas During September 21 Manila Protest

CMFR/PHILIPPINES — Journalists covering the September 21 protests in Manila were assaulted, harassed, and obstructed as demonstrations escalated in Mendiola, Recto, and Ayala Bridge. The rallies, which marked the anniversary of Martial Law and called for accountability in the flood control corruption scandal, drew thousands but also ended in...

Journalists barred from covering voting proceedings

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – Several community journalists were reportedly barred from voting and accessing voting precincts for media coverage according to an alternative media organization.

THE STATE OF MEDIA FREEDOM IN THE PHILIPPINES 2025

THE STATE of media freedom in the Philippines presents the continuing paradox of a libertarian legal framework that protects freedom of expression and press freedom amid forces hostile to the objectives of journalism to create a truly informed community. Historic disruptions have affected the growth of the press in...

Veteran journalist and former Kalibo Mayor Johnny Dayang shot dead in home

CMFR/PHILIPPINES — An unidentified gunman fatally shot Juan “Johnny” Dayang, a prominent journalist and former mayor of Kalibo, inside his residence in Barangay Andagao on the evening of April 29. He was 89 years old.

ANC anchor Kat Domingo threatened online

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – On February 11, 2025, Katrina Domingo, ANC’s Headstart anchor, and ABS-CBN’s reporter, posted on her twitter account that she was threatened online.

Photojournalist Deo Montesclaros faces terrorism financing complaint

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – On January 10, the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Cagayan issued a subpoena against activists and multimedia reporter Deo Montesclaros due to alleged terrorism charges filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Cagayan region.

Araullo wins red-tagging case against Badoy and Celiz

Broadcast journalist Atom Araullo won his civil suit against the red-tagging of Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz on December 12.

NBI summons raises concerns among journalists who attended Sara Duterte’s presscon

THREE JOURNALISTS appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division on December 4, responding to a subpoena for them to shed light on the threats made by Vice President Sara Duterte during an online press conference she had called.

Community journalist Cumpio takes witness stand after four years

FOUR YEARS after her arrest, journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio on November 11 took to the witness stand, finally able to defend herself. Cumpio, the executive director of Tacloban-based online news outlet Eastern Vista, was one of the five individuals, dubbed as “Tacloban 5”, who were arrested and detained in...