Articles by Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Appeals Court reverses decision on a libel case
(CMFR/IFEX) – Saying it would have “a devastating and catastrophic effect on the freedom of speech and of the press,” on 28 August 2008 the Court of Appeals (CA) reversed its 18 March decision which upheld a guilty verdict for libel on the staff members of a defunct newspaper. In its 10-page decision, the CA’s […]
Publisher arrested in nine-year-old libel case; conviction of another publisher confirmed
(CMFR/IFEX) – The publisher of a daily newspaper in Manila was arrested on 4 September 2008 for libel, while another newspaper publisher’s libel conviction was affirmed after a judge denied her motion for reconsideration. Amado Macasaet, publisher of the daily newspaper “Malaya” (Free) as well as the tabloid “Abante” (Forward), was arrested for a nine-year-old […]
Journalist declared “persona non grata” following publication of report, still affected by tag despite its withdrawal
(CMFR/IFEX) – The Zamboanga City Council retracted on 12 August 2008 a resolution declaring a journalist “persona non grata” following his report on resistance to the formation of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) in Mindanao. Zamboanga City is approximately 864 kms from Manila. The City Council decided to withdraw its declaration after Al Jacinto apologised, […]
Radio broadcaster investigating irregularity in local government murdered
(CMFR/IFEX) – Radio broadcaster Martin Roxas was killed on 7 August 2008 by a gunman riding pillion on a motorcycle in Roxas City, Capiz. The province is approximately 411 km southeast of Manila. Roxas, program director of dyKR-Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) in Roxas City, was shot in the neck. Roxas was himself on a motorcycle. […]
Crusading radio journalist critically wounded in murder attempt
(CMFR/IFEX) – A radio broadcaster is in critical condition after being shot in General Santos City, South Cotabato on 4 August 2008, at approximately 4:30 p.m. (local time). A gunman riding pillion on a motorcycle shot Dennis Cuesta of dxMD-Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) as he was walking along a public thoroughfare in a crowded area […]
Appeals court denies Mindoro journalist’s petition for protection
(CMFR/IFEX) – In what could be a setback to the campaign for legal protection of journalists under threat, the Manila Court of Appeals denied on 27 June 2008 a petition for a writ of amparo filed by an Oriental Mindoro-based journalist. Oriental Mindoro is a province approximately 140 km south of Manila. In a 21-page […]
Judge dismisses case filed by media organisations protesting treatment of journalists during Peninsula Hotel incident
(CMFR/IFEX) – On 20 June 2008, a Makati Regional Trial Court judge dismissed a class suit filed by journalists and media organizations against government officials whose actions resulted in the arrest of dozens of journalists covering a press conference by rebel soldiers on 29 November 2007. The P10 million (approx. US$245,600) suit was filed in […]
Critical newspaper publisher convicted of libel, sentenced to jail, payment of heavy damages over airport contract coverage
(CMFR/IFEX) – The publisher of a daily newspaper critical of the Arroyo government was found guilty of libel on 5 June 2008 and sentenced to a minimum of six months to a maximum of two years in prison. She was also ordered to pay P5 million (approx. US$113,480) in moral damages and P33,732.25 (approx. US$765) […]