Press Freedom Protection Archives | Page 32 of 76

Broadcaster files libel suit vs newspaper reporter, editors

CMFR/Philippines – A broadcast journalist filed on March 24 a libel complaint against a reporter and the editors of a broadsheet that published a news report that named him as one of three broadcasters who were said to have received bribes from a state-owned corporation that was allegedly used...

International Crisis

Media executives attacked in Hong Kong; second incident in a month Four masked men attacked two media executives on 19 March 2014 in Hong Kong. It was the second attack in a month in the city, after a former editor was attacked with a cleaver on 26 February 2014....

Radio broadcaster gets death threats

CMFR/Philippines – A radio broadcaster in Kalibo town, the capital of Aklan province, has been receiving threatening text messages since February 2014 when he began criticizing the town mayor for alleged corruption. Kalibo in the Visayas group of islands is some 400 kilometers south of Manila. Jodel Rentillo said...

Editor charged with libel for publishing ad

CMFR/Philippines – A newspaper editor in Cagayan de Oro City has been charged with criminal libel for publishing allegedly libelous advertisements in 2012. He posted bail on 25 February 2014 before receiving an arrest warrant the next day. Cagayan de Oro City is some 1,400 kilometers south of Manila....

Suspect in shooting of radio reporter shot dead (UPDATED)

In a memorandum forwarded to CMFR dated 10 February 2013, the Office of the Chief Philippine National Police (OCPNP) said that police officer Rex delos Reyes, the primary suspect in the shooting of dyOK Aksyon Radyo Iloilo reporter Jonavin "Jhey-r" Villalba was gunned down in Barangay (Village) Miranda, Hinigaran...

Journalist threatened over illegal mining report

CMFR/Philippines – A journalist said the mayor of Gonzaga town in the coast of Cagayan province threatened him over the phone on 20 February 2014 for reporting the persistence of illegal black sand mining in the area. The mayor has denied making the threat, and said he only warned the...

Policeman mauls photojournalist during protest dispersal

CMFR/Philippines – A policeman allegedly mauled a photojournalist after the dispersal of protesters in Davao City on 13 February 2013. The Davao City mayor said he would investigate the matter after the journalists’ union condemned the incident. Davao City is some 1,500 kilometers south of Manila. Photojournalist Barry Ohaylan...

STATEMENT: Libel as problematic as ever for free expression and press freedom

THE FEBRUARY 18 ruling of the Supreme Court declaring key provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175) unconstitutional is a victory for free expression. But its declaring the provision on libel committed through the Internet constitutional retains one of the most problematic provisions of the Act. In...

UPDATED: Supreme Court declares key Cybercrime Law provisions except libel unconstitutional

UPDATE: Supreme Court upholds February ruling on online libel CMFR/Philippines – The Supreme Court En Banc on 22 April 2014 denied all motions for reconsideration (MRs) against the Court’s 18 February 2014 ruling on the constitutionality of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175). CMFR was a...

Philippine ranking drops in World Press Freedom Index

CMFR/Philippines – The Philippines dropped from 147th place in 2013 to 149th in the 2014 World Press Freedom Index released on 12 February 2014 by the Paris-based organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF; Reporters Sans Frontieres). A Presidential spokesperson responded to the report by saying that the Philippine government is committed...