Articles by Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Mayor files libel complaint against blocktimer in the Philippines
A second libel complaint was filed against a radio blocktimer in Pampanga, Philippines after a local mayor was angered by a discussion on graft and corruption in his city.
IFEX members concerned over undermining of OAS Special Rapporteur
Over 30 IFEX members express concern at a set of proposals put forth by the government of Ecuador and due to be discussed on 8 March in Ecuador that seek to reform the OAS Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression.
Filipino correspondent attacked by police for alleged “bias”
Police officers mauled a correspondent-photojournalist covering the supposed raid by disaster victims of a government office in Davao City, Philippines.
Rights groups slam detention of Al Jazeera journalists in Malaysia
Three Al Jazeera journalists reporting on an armed standoff near Lahad Datu, Sabah, in Malaysia were detained and interrogated by Malaysian authorities for at least six hours on 20 February 2013.
Autopsy rules out suicide of witness in Filipino journalist’s murder
The autopsy of the body of a witness in the killing of Filipino journalist Gerardo Ortega concluded that there was foul play, ruling out the initial claim that he committed suicide.
Defending press freedom in Philippines ongoing challenge for dominant press
The major challenge to the Filipino dominant media is the same today as it was under the dictatorship: defending free expression despite an ownership system that creates a conflict between the private interests of the media and the public interest of providing citizens with the information they need.
FOI bill falters in Philippines as midterm elections approach
The right to information and freedom of expression should be in the agenda of press and public discourse in the 2013 elections, and should help transform an otherwise ho-hum election into a national discourse that’s more meaningful, says CMFR.
On the targeting of Filipino “blocktimers” and volunteer broadcasters
“Blocktiming” is a practice in which individuals or groups purchase TV or radio airtime for programs that they “sell” to sponsors; about 22% of the journalists killed for their work in the Philippines since 1986 involve blocktimers.