Press Freedom Protection Archives | Page 72 of 76

CMFR Philippines Libel Update: Presidential spouse files libel vs. columnist

A well-known hard-hitting columnist and broadcaster was sued for libel by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s husband for the former’s alleged defamatory articles linking the first gentleman to smuggling activities. In his formal complaint filed last 06 September, Jose Miguel Arroyo said that columnist and popular hard-hitting television broadcaster Ramon Tulfo...

Government links communist group with media

A government official recently warned against possible communist infiltration of the country’s newsrooms. During a state-sponsored forum last 21 August, national security adviser Norberto Gonzales said that there “are big possibilities in the media that there are some practitioners being courted by enemies of the state and probably successfully.”...

Movie/TV board suspends documentary

For airing an episode showing individuals using drugs, a documentary program of a popular network was recently suspended by the country’s movie and television review board. In its memorandum dated last 15 August, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) suspended the ABS-CBN Network’s documentary program The...

Reporters escape slay, kidnap try; broadcaster receives death threats

Reporter escapes kidnap try in Laguna A tabloid correspondent recently escaped from three men who tried to abduct him while he was waiting for a ride home in Calamba City, 60 kilometers south of Manila. According to police reports, Dick Garay, a provincial correspondent of tabloid Police Files Tonite,...

Journalists asked to cover Aug. 8 prelim conference of the Roger Mariano case

the Tomorrow, August 8, the preliminary conference for the trial of Roger Mariano murder case will be held at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 54, Manila City. The Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, of which the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) is a founding member and...

Dealing with an Accusation

When a news source makes a charge, what’s a reporter to do? Dealing with an Accusation By Hector Bryant L. Macale LIKE A scourge that will not stop, corruption is a persistent problem in the Philippines. Even the all-too-mighty media, for all its power in exposing corrupt public officials,...

Urgent press advisory — Mariano case arraignment set on July 28

Tomorrow, July 28, the arraignment for the trial of Roger Mariano murder case will be held at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 54, Manila City. Coverage requested. Case Background Roger Mariano, hard-hitting radio journalist based in Laoag, Ilocos Norte was killed mercilessly on his way home along a...

Police nabs three suspects in Pace slay

In just two days after the incident, police apprehended three suspects in the 18 July killing of broadcaster Armando Pace in Digos, Davao del Sur, around 680 kilometers south of Manila. On 19 July, the police nabbed suspect Juan Jesus Sataum, a money lender, whose motorcycle was allegedly used...

Hagedorn files libel raps vs. two tabloids

A local mayor recently filed libel complaints against two editors, a columnist, and the circulation managers of two tabloids. Puerto Princesa City mayor Edward Hagedorn alleged that the tabloids published columns and articles, which were malicious, defamatory, and damaging to his name and reputation. The articles exposed him to...

Ousted president to file libel vs. Standard Today, two others

Embattled former President Joseph Estrada is set to file a Php30-million (US$580,000) libel suit against a Manila-based national daily and two others for accusing him of involvement in a money-laundering operation. According to Rufus Rodriguez, Estrada’s legal counsel, the former president will sue Manila Standard Today for publishing a...