We will not surrender our freedomsToday, 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.Read More Covering the PandemicRead more Covering the CoViD-19 Pandemic Suspect in 2004 killing of journalist surrenders as witness retracts CMFR/PHILIPPINES – The suspect in the 2004 killing of radio broadcaster Herson Hinolan surrendered on 5 March 2008 to the Kalibo Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 7 in Aklan, after a key witness retracted his earlier testimony against the suspect. Aklan is approximately 345 km south of Manila. Alfredo... Suspects behind killing of journalist elude arrest CMFR/Philippines—Two government officials suspected to be the brains behind the killing of a journalist in 2004 have eluded arrest despite three week-old warrants for their arrest. Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge Simeon Dumdum issued arrest warrants to the Cotabato City police on 4 February 2008 for... News network prevented from aerial coverage of anti-Arroyo rally CMFR/Philippines – The governmental Air Transport Office (ATO) prevented aerial news coverage by a local TV news network of one of the largest protest rallies against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on 29 February 2008. ATO declared the air space above Makati City where the rally was held a “no... Supreme court rules that government warnings constituted prior restraint CMFR/Philippines—The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that threatening statements from the Justice secretary and the National Telecommunications Commission warning media not to air a wiretapped conversation between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and an elections commissioner constituted “impermissible forms of prior restraints on the right to free speech and press.”... Vice President was “just kidding” when he told bodyguard to “kill” reporter CMFR/PHILIPPINES – The Philippine’s second highest government official said that he was just joking when he ordered his bodyguard to “kill” a tabloid reporter on 13 February 2008 after the latter repeatedly asked whether he was ready to assume the presidency if President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo resigns or is... Judge denies media request to extend court order against gov’t harrasment CMFR/Philippines – A Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge denied on 8 February 2008 a petition by journalists to extend a previously granted 72-hour temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the police, the military, and other government agencies from threatening or arresting journalists and media practitioners during crisis situations.... Journalist seeks court protection against killers An Oriental Mindoro-based journalist filed a petition for a writ of amparo before the Supreme Court on 4 February 2008 after discovering a plan to kill him, allegedly by people involved in anomalies he had exposed. Oriental Mindoro is about 140 kms south of Manila. Arrest warrants out for alleged masterminds of journalist killing CMFR/Philippines—A Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge in Cebu City, Cebu province issued arrest warrants on 4 February 2008 for the two alleged masterminds behind the killing of journalist Marlene Esperat. Cebu is a province approximately 562 km south of Manila. Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge Simeon... Judge upholds court’s jurisdiction over journalist murder case CMFR/Philippines – A Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge denied on 18 February 2008 a motion by two defendants accused of masterminding the murder of journalist Marlene Esperat. The motion sought to quash the charges filed by the state prosecutor against them on 1 February 2008. Cebu is... Broadcaster jailed for libel CMFR/Philippines—A provincial radio commentator has now spent over a week in jail after being arrested on 22 January 2008 for failing to attend his libel case hearings. No bail was recommended for his imprisonment. Julito “Lito” Ucab, a freelance radio commentator in Cagayan de Oro, is now behind bars... « Previous1…3637383940…47Next »
