Articles by Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Filipino journalist threatened over illegal mining report
A journalist in Cagayan province, Philippines said the local mayor threatened him for reporting the persistence of illegal black sand mining in the area. The mayor has denied making the threat, and said he only warned the journalist against reporting “lies,” for which he can be sued for libel.
Policeman mauls photojournalist during protest dispersal in Philippines
A policeman allegedly mauled a photojournalist after the dispersal of protesters in Davao City on 13 February 2014. The Davao City mayor said he would investigate the matter after the journalists’ union condemned the incident. Davao City is some 1,500 kilometers south of Manila. Photojournalist Barry Ohaylan of Pinoy Weekly and Kilab Multimedia was covering […]
Supreme Court declares Cybercrime Law unconstitutional
Ruling considered a victory for free expression in the Philippines, but law still retains one of most problematic provisions.
Philippines Court downgrades charge from murder to homicide in radio broadcaster’s killing
A Philippines court convicted a man of homicide in the case of a radio broadcaster killed 13 years ago in the province of Aklan. “Treachery and evident premeditation,” qualifications for the original murder charge, had not been proven, the court said.
Transparency, independent media are vital for global development plan
195 civil society organisations from around the world have called on the UN to put government accountability and independent media at the centre of a new framework for global development.
Filipino radio reporter still under threat years after surviving slay attempt
A radio reporter in Bukidnon province, Philippines has been receiving threatening text messages and said a suspicious man on an unregistered motorbike recently came looking for him at his home. The reporter survived a slay attempt almost ten years earlier, on 12 November 2004, for reporting on corruption in the province.
Will Philippines High Court resolution on Ampatuan case hasten the trial’s conduct?
In December 2013, the Philippines Supreme Court issued a resolution on providing guidelines designed to hasten the conduct of the trial of the accused for the 2009 massacre in Maguindanao. CMFR welcomes the resolution but stresses that the press and the public must be enjoined also to be watchful about its effects, or lack of effect.
Karaoke bar owners assault cameraman in southern Philippines
Three foreign nationals running an allegedly illegal roadside eatery and karaoke bar in Zamboanga City assaulted a member of a news crew on 11 December 2013. The news crew was covering the arrest of the eatery owners on charges of creating a public disturbance.