Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)

In the coming weeks, the Philippines Court of Appeals will be deciding whether Zaldy Ampatuan, the suspected mastermind behind the November 2009 Ampatuan massacre, should be dropped from the list of suspects. Media groups in the Philippines, including IFEX member CMFR, are appealing to all concerned individuals and organisations to send a letter to the Court of Appeal ahead of the upcoming decision.

At the 16th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council taking place from 28 February to 25 March 2011, groups urged their governments to support a resolution which omits “defamation” and “denigration” of religions and focuses on freedom of expression, freedom of religion and non-discrimination.

CMFR has expressed concern over the slowness of the process and its consequent failure to prevent further killings of journalists.

In one case, a community newspaper editor suffered a head injury when he was attacked outside his paper’s offices.

The signing organisations are alarmed by the decreasing space for the voices of journalists and opposition parties during the run-up to the 18 February 2011 general elections.

Marlon Recamata, Romeo Seratubias, Dennis Aranas, Armando Noel Loria and Rodolfo Edrad Jr. were charged for alleged involvement in the murder of Gerardo Ortega.

The report looked at the new Aquino administration’s attitude and response to press freedom issues during its first six months.

The groups condemn the serious violations of human rights taking place at this critical moment in Egypt.