(CMFR/IFEX) – In an effort to strengthen press freedom, the House of Representatives has passed a bill that would include journalists in the broadcast industry, wire agencies and Internet publications among those who are exempted from revealing the identities of confidential news and information sources. House Bill (HB) 4835 seeks to extend the coverage of […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – In an effort to strengthen press freedom, the House of Representatives has passed a bill that would include journalists in the broadcast industry, wire agencies and Internet publications among those who are exempted from revealing the identities of confidential news and information sources.
House Bill (HB) 4835 seeks to extend the coverage of Republic Act 53 or Sotto Law, enacted in 1946 and named after its author Sen. Vicente Sotto, which gives publishers, editors and/or authors of any print publications the right to refuse to divulge their news sources.
However, a provision in the said law also states that when national security is at stake, the courts or any congressional body can demand the revelation of the news and information source.
“During these times of great challenges facing the nation, public information is a vital ingredient to national unity and to socio-economic and political development,” said House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., adding, “the role of media in nation building is clearly important.”
The bill was passed on third and final reading on the eve of the Lenten break last April 7, 2006 “to ensure that the mission of the press to check and balance and expose wrongdoing is not impeded,” said de Venecia.
The bill was principally authored by House Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar; Reps. Gilbert Remulla, a former broadcast journalist; and Ernesto Nieva.
The bill’s authors explained that the measure “will not only strengthen confidence of journalists in the broadcast, wire agencies and in the Internet sector, but will also recognize the important role that they, together with print media, play in the building of communities.” The bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
