Statements | CMFR

Philippine Media Statement on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020

THE SUPREME Court is hearing oral arguments on petitions against the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020. We, editors and reporters of news organizations around the Philippines, join the voices of various sectors opposing provisions of the law that trample upon fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of the press. Section...

It isn’t just about Rappler

WITH THE conviction for cyber libel of Rappler’s Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos, Jr., every Filipino must take the cause of freedom of expression as a personal challenge, whatever personal, political, business and other interests they may hold. We can only endure if we believe and respect...

We will not surrender our freedoms

WE ARE the community of independent Filipino journalists. We are the descendants of Lopez Jaena, of Del Pilar, of Rizal, of Leona Florentino, the sons and daughters of Don Chino, Joe Burgos, Tony Nieva, inheritors of the great tradition of critical and independent Philippines journalism, a journalism that speaks...

“Fake news” provision threatens freedom of the press, expression

JOINT STATEMENT We, media organizations, advocates of freedom of the press and of expression, journalists and academics, raise the alarm over the insertion of measures to control free expression in the “Bayanihan to Heal As One” Act. We refer to Section 6(6), which penalizes “individuals or groups creating, perpetrating,...

Statement on government requiring journalists to get PCOO accreditation to be exempted from community quarantine

WE, MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS, journalists, press freedom advocates and academics, raise our collective voice and declare our opposition to government requiring journalists to secure accreditation from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to be exempted from the enhanced community quarantine. While we recognize the gravity of the situation, we assert that...

FMFA’s statement on the Office of the Solicitor General’s quo warranto complaint against ABS-CBN

FREEDOM FOR Media, Freedom for All (FMFA), a national coalition of media-oriented organizations, calls for a collective front that enjoins not just journalists and news organizations, but Filipinos who believe that a democracy cannot flourish without a free and autonomous press. The attempt to close down ABS-CBN is a...

Center for Media Freedom & Responsibility: Statement on Calida’s Quo Warranto

THE CENTER for Media Freedom & Responsibility (CMFR) joins the call for clarity on the legal questions arising from the latest effort to undermine media freedom: Does quo warranto apply to invalidating the franchise granted to ABS-CBN? Is it appropriate for the Solicitor General to even raise the renewal...

STATEMENT: Conviction of accused in the court is a good sign; but it hardly ends impunity

A JUST verdict after the long trial of the accused in the Ampatuan Massacre is a welcome outcome, but it hardly signals the end of the pattern of impunity which weighs down the course of justice in the country. The tragedy on November 23, 2009 took away the lives...

Weapons of Partisanship, Instruments of Abuse

THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) has filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) charges of sedition and obstruction of justice, among other offenses, against members of the opposition, lawyers, priests and officials of the Catholic Church, and the vice president of the Philippines. If these reach the courts, the...

DANGEROUS AND UNNECESSARY

IF PASSED INTO LAW, Senate Bill Number 9, the “Anti-False Content Act” would not only abridge free expression and press freedom that is protected by Article III Section 4 of the Constitution. As law, it will further lower the bar of democratic discourse by limiting the online discussion of...

Press Freedom Protection

Attacks and threats against the media

Press Freedom

Ampatuan Trial Watch

Media Defense

Legislation

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Cybercrime

International Day to End Impunity in the Philippines

Media Ethics and Responsibility

Journalism Review

Excellence and Best Practices in Journalism

Jaime V. Ongpin Journalism Seminar