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 9 of the ATA proscribes speech, proclamations, writings, emblems, and banners that fall under the new crime of “inciting to terrorism,” imposing a penalty of 12 years in prison. As the law fails to provide a clear definition of terrorism and is vague about what constitutes acts of terrorism, Section 9 could make media practitioners vulnerable to wrongful charges and arrests, producing  a  chilling effect on all media practice.

Government’s assurance that protection clauses are in place fly in the face of the experience of news organizations and journalists who have been red-tagged and branded as “terrorists” by government and security officials.  With the government’s anti-insurgency campaign causing a rise in killings of activists, we fear for the safety of our colleagues. 

We call on the government to uphold the freedom of the press. We demand that the rights and safety of journalists and media houses be respected and protected at all times. Many of us have seen how efforts to go after “enemies of the people” have led to zealous securitization of the government’s response to the problems of the country.

The ATA will not succeed in reducing the threat of terrorism with over-reaching prohibitions on expressive as well as political freedoms. It will reduce this country to a field of submissive and unquestioning individuals, to be herded like sheep by the police and the military. We reject the Anti-Terrorism Act!

Signed,

Media Organizations

1. Tess Bacalla for Asia Democracy Chronicles
2. Felix Espinida Jr. for BicolExpress.Net
3. Len Olea for Bulatlat
4. Red Batario for the Center for Community Journalism and Development
5. Melinda De Jesus for Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
6. Francis Allan Angelo for the Daily Guardian 
7. Herbie Gomez for the Gold Star Daily
8. Carolyn Arguillas for Mindanews
9. Jonathan de Santos for the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)
10. Carmela Fonbuena for the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)
11. Ariel Sebellino for the Philippine Press Institute (PPI)
12. Ezra Acayan for the Photojournalist’s Center of the Philippines (PCP)
13. Glenda Gloria for Rappler 
14. Bobby Labalan for Sorsogon Organization of News Writers, Announcers and Reporters (SONAR) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines-Sorsogon
15. Lucia Tangi for the U.P. Department of Journalism
16. Ellen Tordesillas for VERA Files
17. Sol Juvida for Women Writers in Media

In their individual capacities: 

1. Michelle Abad, Rappler
2. Patricia Aquino, Pumapodcast
3. Ana Corina Arceo, Rappler
4. Jez Aznar
5. Samantha Bagayas, Rappler
6. Bernice Beltran, PCP
7. Jairo Bolledo, Rappler
8. Lian Buan, Rappler
9. Kaye Cabal, Rappler
10. Gaea Katreena Cabico
11. Amalia Cabusao, PPI
12. Gerg Cahiles
13. Gerard Carreon, PCP
14. Mara Cepeda, Rappler
15. Adelle ChuaIan Nicolas Cigaral
16. Alec Corpuz, PCP
17. Cong B. Corrales, Mindanao Gold Star Daily
18. Bea Cupin, Rappler
19. Noemi Lardizabal Dado
20. Camille Diola
21. Jimmy Domingo, PCP
22. Camille Elemia, Rappler
23. Maria Elena Catajan 
24. Paterno Esmaquel, Rappler
25. Marchel Espina
26. Nonoy Espina, NUJP
27. Sharlene Festin, PCP
28. Chay Hofileña, Rappler
29. Karol Ilagan, PCIJ
30. Jodesz Gavilan, Rappler
31. Miriam Grace Go, Rappler
32. Xave Gregorio
33. Kenneth Roland Guda, PCIJ
34. Jules Guiang, Rappler
35. Carljoe Javier, Pumapodcast
36. LeAnne Jazul, Rappler
37. Jee Jeronimo, Rappler
38. Victor D. Kintanar, PCP
39. Dwight De Leon, Rappler
40. Marguerite de Leon, Rappler
41. Raffy Lerma, PCP
42. Ed Lingao
43. Barnaby Lo 
44. Franco Luna
45. Pauline Macaraeg, Rappler
46. Bonz Magsambol, Rappler
47. Prinz Magtulis
48. Julius Mariveles, Digital News Exchange
49. Bullit Marquez
50. Manny Mogato
51. John Nery, columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer
52. Bella Perez-Rubio
53. Chris Quintana, PCP
54. Pia Ranada, Rappler
55. James Relativo
56. Maria Ressa Rappler
57. Jojo Riñoza, PCP
58. Rick Rocamora, PCP
59. Chery Salazar, PCIJ
60. Mark Z. Saludes, PCP
61. David Santos
62. Basilio Sepe, PCP
63. Fernando Sepe Jr., PCP
64. Raisa Marielle Serafica, Rappler
65. Floreen Simon, PCIJ
66. Rambo Talabong, Rappler
67. Maria Tan, PCP
68. Cristina Gratia Tantengco, Pumapodcast
69. Raffy Tima
70. Sofia Tomacruz, Rappler
71. Bernadette Uy, PCP
72. Inday Espina Varona
73. Chito dela Vega, Rappler
74. Daniel Vicedo, PCP
75. Pau Villanueva, PCP
76. Patricia Lourdes Viray
77. Sofia Virtudes, Rappler
78. Marites Vitug, Rappler