Media Defense Archives - CMFR

We will not surrender our freedoms

Today, Independence Day, we renew our pledge to serve the people, to continue speaking truth to power, and to guard and defend freedom of the press and of expression from all threats.

Covering the Pandemic

Covering the CoViD-19 Pandemic

The Silent Media

Native Advertising: Not just a Problem of One

Accused in 2009 killing of radio reporter convicted

A trial court found guilty one of two persons accused in the 2010 murder of a radio reporter in Nabua town, Camarines Sur last 5 February 2015. It was the 15th case out of 145 cases of journalists killed since 1986 in which there has been a conviction.

Broadcaster dies 10 years after attack that left him paralyzed

Ten years after surviving an attack that left him paralyzed from the waist down, a Mindanao broadcaster died last 15 January 2015 in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.

Radio anchor acquitted of libel

CMFR/Philippines – A court in San Jose town, Occidental Mindoro province, acquitted a radio anchor of a libel charge on 2 June 2014. San Jose is about 400 kilometers south of Metro Manila. Branch 46 of the San Jose Regional Trial Court acquitted radio anchor Alex del Valle of one count...

CMFR STATEMENT: Philippine Day of Mourning

WORLD PRESS Freedom Day has for many years been an occasion for mourning rather than celebration in the Philippines, where, since 1986, 140 journalists and media workers have been killed for their work, among them the 32 killed on November 23, 2009 in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province. This year’s...

Court downgrades charge from murder to homicide in radio broadcaster’s killing

CMFR/Philippines – A Court in Cebu City on 16 January 2014 convicted a man of homicide in the case of a radio broadcaster killed 13 years ago in the province of Aklan. The man drove the motorcycle the gunman used to escape. “Treachery and evident premeditation,” qualifications for the...

Alleged Masterminds want their petition referred to Supreme Court en banc

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – AFTER THE DENIAL OF THEIR MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION, the alleged masterminds behind the murder of journalist Marlene Esperat have filed a motion asking that their petition for review on certiorari be referred to the Supreme Court en banc. The Third Division of the Supreme Court had already...

Being FFFJ Counsel

“FFFJ?” It’s the same old story. Rather, the same old reaction whenever I’m asked about my work as private prosecutor in media killing cases and I answer, “I’m here as FFFJ legal counsel.”

Journalists urge Rules of Court review

THE SLOW progress of the Ampatuan Massacre trial is typical of how the rules governing Philippine legal procedures have resulted in the delay of the prosecution of suspected wrong-doers, including those accused in heinous crimes. Since the trial began more than two years ago, numerous motions and petitions every...

Despite UN declarationPacquiao sues journalist for libel

STILL A criminal offense in the Philippines despite the October 2011 UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) declaration that it is incompatible with human rights law, libel suits are still being filed against journalists, in many cases to limit criticism of public officials and other powerful individuals. Despite a limit...

Esperat Case UpdateFamily asks court to order arrest of ‘mastermind’

THE FAMILY of slain journalist Marlene Esperat asked the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) last 13 April 2012 to issue an alias warrant of arrest against the alleged masterminds in the killing. A court can re-issue an “alias warrant” if the original is returned unserved after ten days.