Articles by Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Philippines: Energy Secretary, Duterte campaign donor file suits against journalists
The Philippines Energy Secretary and a campaign donor of President Rodrigo Duterte have filed libel and cyberlibel charges against 21 journalists and media executives for their reporting on a controversial energy deal.
Philippine media statement on Maria Ressa’s Nobel Peace Prize
Filipino journalists and media groups have signed a statement highlighting the significance of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Maria Ressa and Dmitri Muratov; and how press freedom remains in a fragile state in the Philippines today.
A call to the Philippine Army: Respect for press freedom in word and deed
A coalition of press freedom advocates condemns the Philippine Army’s Distributed Denial of Service cyberattacks on the websites of two alternative media organizations in the Philippines.
Philippine media groups sign statement rejecting the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020
Dozens of media groups and journalists in the Philippines have signed a statement rejecting the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 for containing provisions that “trample upon fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of the press.”
Philippines: Appeal to UNESCO regarding the classification of the Ampatuan massacre case as “resolved”
A broad group of organizations and individuals have sent a letter to UNESCO regarding the latter’s classification of the Ampatuan Massacre as ‘resolved’. Fifty-eight persons were killed, including 32 journalists, when armed goons attacked an electoral convoy in a southern province in the Philippines in 2009.
Philippine alternative news groups file complaints against state agents for threats and surveillance
Altermidya and its members Bulatlat, Kodao, and Pinoy Weekly filed complaints against state agents before the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights for continuous threats, intimidation, and attacks on press freedom.
Philippines: Media groups worry over return of authoritarian rule after ABS-CBN franchise rejection
A congressional committee has voted to reject the franchise application of ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ largest TV and radio network. Since 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte has castigated the network for its critical reporting and has threatened the non-renewal of its license.
Closing down ABS-CBN and its impact on free speech in the Philippines
The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility said the forced closure of a major broadcasting network limits the possibilities of civic engagement and political participation.