Press Freedom Protection Archives | Page 64 of 76

Alleged gunman in 2004 journalist’s murder killed

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – A police officer shot dead the alleged gunman in the 2004 killing of a Batangas-based journalist last 19 October 2009, a day before his arraignment. The police said the shooting was accidental. Batangas is a province approximately 90 kilometers from Manila. Three policemen were bringing Michael Garcia,...

Transfer of venue of case against alleged masterminds in Esperat murder granted

CMFR/PHILIPPINES-The venue of the case against the alleged masterminds in the killing of Sultan Kudarat-based journalist Marlene Esperat has been transferred to Makati City with the Philippine Supreme Court’s grant of a petition for the change. The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) received a copy of the...

Action Requested

Almost a month has passed since Vietnamese authorities arrested a press freedom advocate for allegedly distributing “anti-state propaganda” at his home in Ho Chi Minh City on June 13. Vietnamese authorities charged Le Cong Dinh with violating Article 88 of the Vietnam Criminal Code which penalizes the “crime of...

Incoherent

Cheers and Jeers to GMA-7’s Case Unclosed June 4 episode, “Danyos”, which looked into how the government has failed to indemnify the victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime. Cheers for selecting a topic that, despite its significance, has been relegated to the background in the discussion...

A Philippine court convicts one journalist’s killer; another acquits a suspect in a separate case

CMFR/PHILIPPINES—Two local courts recently decided two separate cases of work-related killing of broadcasters in Region XI (Davao Region). Eight out of the 78 work-related killing of journalists/media practitioners since 1986 happened in Region XI. On 22 April 2009, Judge George Omelio of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14...

A reminder to U.S. President Barack Obama

The news on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s current itinerary (Davos, Milan and Bahrain and now a “side-trip” to Washington DC) has not recorded attendant public reaction. No critical notes from the usual voices in the political opposition. No readings of public opinion about the point of so much globe-trotting....

Press Freedom Continued to Decline in 2008

By JB Santos PRESS FREEDOM again took a beating in 2008 as the number of journalists killed in the line of duty, one of the most telling indicators of threat to press freedom, rose to six from two recorded cases in 2007. The Philippines’ ranking in world press freedom...

Free press, access to info contribute to the ASEAN vision–ASEAN Sec-Gen Surin

Below is a release from the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) on the speech of Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), during the 10th anniversary celebration of SEAPA. The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility is a founding-member of SEAPA. ASEAN Sec-Gen...

Court orders arrest of alleged masterminds in killing of journalist

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – A local court in Sultan Kudarat has ordered the arrest of the alleged masterminds in the 2005 killing of a journalist a day after murder charges were filed against them. Sultan Kudarat is approximately 968 kms from Manila. Judge Melanio S. Guerrero of the Tacurong City Regional...

Murder charges filed against alleged masterminds in killing of journalist

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – Murder charges against the alleged masterminds in the 2005 killing of journalist Marlene Esperat have been filed before a local court in Sultan Kudarat. Sultan Kudarat is approx. 968 kms from Manila. Nena Santos, private counsel for the prosecution, said the information against Osmeña Montañer and Estrella...