Articles by Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Court temporarily stops class action suit by journalists against president’s husband
(CMFR/IFEX) – The class action suit filed by 40 journalists and three media organizations against presidential spouse Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo for his alleged abuse of the right to litigate and violation of press freedom had not even reached the pre-trial stage a year after it was filed. Both sides had been locked in an […]
Journalist allegedly threatened, “banned” from covering military following critical coverage
(CMFR/IFEX) – A freelance journalist told CMFR that she has been threatened and banned from military camps by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, apparently for writing stories on the armed conflict in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. The military has denied her allegations. Julie Alipala, who files stories for the “Philippine Daily Inquirer”, online magazine “Newsbreak” […]
Columnist threatened with death following articles implicating top government official in corruption
(CMFR/IFEX) – A columnist claims that he received a death threat on 20 September 2007, after writing about a high-ranking election official involved in an anomalous deal on the installation of broadband networks in the country. Jarius Bondoc, a columnist for the Manila daily “The Philippine Star”, said he received the threat following the Senate […]
Radio journalist stabbed, seriously wounded following reports on crime
(CMFR/IFEX) – A radio reporter was stabbed and seriously wounded by an unknown assailant on 31 August 2007 in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental province, approximately 480 km from Manila. Joel Abilay, a news reporter for Radio GMA (RGMA) in Cadiz, was in a market at around 7:00 p.m. (local time) when he was stabbed twice […]
Electoral commission threatens legal action against media personalities; boxer files libel suit against journalists
(CMFR/IFEX) – CMFR is concerned over two separate libel threats recently directed against journalists. The Commission on Elections (Comelec), the government body responsible for running elections in the Philippines, has announced that it is “seriously considering” filing charges of libel and electoral sabotage against “two known media personalities.” Comelec commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said that the […]
Radio station manager shot, wounded by official angered by allegations of corruption
(CMFR/IFEX) – A radio station manager of a local broadcasting company was shot by a government official on 25 July 2007 in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, an island province approximately 480 km from Manila. Ferdinand “Bambi” Yngson, manager of GMA Network’s Super Radyo dySB in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and a member of the National […]
Constitutionality of anti-terror law questioned in Supreme Court
(CMFR/IFEX) – More than 20 petitions have been filed by various organizations and individuals before the Supreme Court (SC) questioning the constitutionality of the anti-terror law. The Human Security Act (HSA) or Republic Act 9372, was signed into law in March 2007. The petitions are asking for a temporary restraining order (TRO) on its implementation. […]
Three years after journalist’s murder, suspects’ trial nears resolution
(CMFR/IFEX) – After three long years, the wheels of justice may finally catch up with the killers of an Ilocano broadcast journalist, one of the 33 journalists killed in the line of duty during the Arroyo Administration. Currently being tried in Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 54, the Roger Mariano case is moving towards […]