Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)

An unidentified gunman shot Alfredo “Dodong” Velarde Jr., the circulation manager for “Brigada News”, in front of the newspaper’s office in General Santos City.

After hearing rumours of the death of Dawit Isaak, an Swedish-Eritrean journalist held without charge for ten years, 31 members of IFEX are asking President Isaias Afewerki to confirm that he is still alive and if so, to release him from prison.

Prior to the UN summit of world leaders in Rio in June 2012 (Rio+20) to discuss the environment and sustainable development goals, 77 civil society organisations recommend the adoption of national laws on access to information, public participation and access to justice in the environment, a new UN convention on access to environmental information, and a UN Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Much of the equipment belonging to Catholic Media Nework station dzVT was destroyed in the blaze, and damages are estimated at approximately US$230,000.

Rey Pasaporte reportedly received threats over a report about the former director’s alleged involvement in the release of a suspected drug lord.

Journalist Louie Larroza of dyEC radio said his daughter’s abduction may have been a warning to stop his broadcasts on corruption and other illegal activities in the province.

For the media community, the decision represents a battle won in the war against the culture of impunity that has encouraged the continued killing of journalists.

A panel previously created by the justice department dismissed the case against the alleged masterminds behind the murder of Gerardo Ortega.