Articles by Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Broadcaster shot dead over critical reports
(CMFR/IFEX) – A broadcaster was shot on 17 November 2008 by a killer onboard a motorcycle in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, a province about 785 kilometres south of Manila. He was the fifth Filipino journalist killed in the line of duty in 2008. Aresio Padrigao, 55, of dxRS Radyo Natin (Our Radio) had just dropped […]
Murder charges filed against alleged masterminds in killing of journalist
(CMFR/IFEX) – Murder charges against the alleged masterminds in the 2005 killing of journalist Marlene Esperat have been filed before a local court in Sultan Kudarat. Sultan Kudarat is approx. 968 km from Manila. Nena Santos, private counsel for the prosecution, said the information against Osmena Montaner and Estrella Sabay was filed at around 11:40 […]
Businessman threatens to sue Davao newspaper
(CMFR/IFEX) – The chief executive officer of a local mining company has threatened to file a P100 million (approx. US$2.13 million) libel suit against a Davao newspaper. Said Sayre, of the Dabawenyo Minerals Corporation (DMC), said he planned to file the suit against the “Mindanao Daily Mirror” after it published claims by three former DMC […]
Davao City broadcasters receive death threats
(CMFR/IFEX) – Two Davao City-based radio broadcasters have received death threats after reporting on alleged extortion activities involving local government officials. Davao City is approximately 978 km from Manila. Erin Lumosbog of Radio Philippines Network’s DXKT-Radyo Ronda (Roving Radio) Davao and James Pala of DXAM-Radyo Rapido (Rapid Radio) said they received threats on their mobile […]
Correspondents shot at in disputed Maguindanao area
(CMFR/IFEX) – On 1 October 2008, three Mindanao-based correspondents were reportedly shot at in Maguindanao during a supposed clash between the Philippine army and alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) separatist group. However, the MILF has said that it had no troops in the area at the time of the incident and […]
Journalists’ suit against president’s husband to proceed
(CMFR/IFEX) – The Philippine Court of Appeals has denied a motion by the husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to quash a case filed against him by journalists in response to his numerous libel suits. The Court of Appeals also lifted a writ of preliminary injunction and directed the trial court to continue with the […]
Tabloid columnist, editors and publisher face libel charges; court denies petition filed by newspaper staff
(CMFR/IFEX) – On 16 September 2008, the Philippines Supreme Court upheld the guilty verdict on a 1999 libel case filed by a customs official against a columnist, three editors, and the publisher of a local tabloid. Libel is a criminal offence punishable with jail terms in the Philippines. The Supreme Court’s Second Division denied the […]
Supreme Court ruling upholding presidential advisor’s “executive privilege” a threat to freedom of information, says CMFR
(CMFR/IFEX) – The following is an 11 September 2008 CMFR statement, commenting on a recent decision by the Supreme Court regarding a National Broadband Network (NBN) deal and questions posed to a presidential advisor: Assault on the public’s right to know The Supreme Court’s affirmation of its March 25 decision in favor of executive privilege […]