The Court of Appeals (CA) asked the Executive Department to answer the petition made by a group of media organizations and journalists questioning the government’s actions against press freedom.
In a resolution, dated 07 April, written by Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, the appellate court gave the government 10 days to reply to the said petition before it decides on a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the government’s National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Shortly after the issuance of Proclamation 1017, the NTC claimed that it has the authority to revoke the franchise of broadcast networks or stations found to be airing “seditious” or “rebellious” commentaries or remarks.
Named respondents were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita; Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez; the Philippine National Police chief, Director General Arturo Lomibao; and NTC Chairman Ronald Solis.
Meanwhile, the court gave the petitioners five days to reply after the government submits its comment. As of presstime, Malacañang has not answered the petition.
The petitioners include the Philippine Press Institute; Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility; Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism; Newsbreak; Probe Productions; Center for Community Journalism and Development; and the faculty of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.
Last 8 March 2006, the petitioners including at least 73 individual journalists, lodged a petition before the CA to prohibit the government, particularly the executive-branch officials, from restraining media reporting and intimidating journalists.
According to the petitioners, the government continues to harass media even after the state of national emergency was lifted. Petitioners added that the government’s close monitoring of publications, TV and radio stations, and other foregoing acts of censorship constrict the breathing space the press needs in doing its job. ###