Articles by Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Murder charges against journalist’s killer downgraded to homicide
(CMFR/IFEX) – The Court of Appeals has downgraded to homicide the conviction for murder of the killer of dzMM senior editor Alberto Berbon in December 1996, citing the prosecution’s failure to provide evidence for the “abuse of superior strength,” necessary for a murder conviction. Convicted of murder by a regional trial court in 1999, Jose […]
New anti-terror law could be used to wiretap journalists
(CMFR/IFEX) – The Justice Secretary of the Philippines told reporters on 4 July 2007 that through the country’s Anti-terror law, which could take effect on 15 July, the media may be wiretapped based on mere suspicion of involvement in terrorism. “If you are a journalist, you are free from wiretapping because the law says that […]
Radio commentator dies after being shot in Mandaue City
(CMFR/IFEX) – A radio broadcaster died while undergoing treatment after he was shot by unidentified gunmen in Mandaue City, Cebu, a province in central Philippines. Radio station DYRB commentator/technician Geruncio “Oscar” Mondejar, 34, was waiting for a ride to the radio station along Jagobiao Highway in Mandaue City at around 3:00 a.m. (local time) on […]
Journalists face criminal libel suit for alleging governor’s involvement in attempt on their lives
(CMFR/IFEX) – Two journalists who survived an attempt upon their lives now face a lawsuit filed by the man they suspect to be behind the ambush. Delfin Mallari Jr, a correspondent for Southern Luzon of the Manila broadsheet “Philippine Daily Inquirer”, and Johnny Glorioso, a radio correspondent and publisher of the community newspaper “Ang Diyaryo […]
Arroyo lawyer files motion to dismiss class action suit, subpoenas journalists
(CMFR/IFEX) – A lawyer for the journalists who filed a class suit against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s husband Jose Miguel Arroyo has asked Makati City Judge Zenaida Laguilles to quash the defense subpoenas on eight of the journalist-plaintiffs. The subpoenas were received by the Roque and Butuyan law office, which handles the case of the […]
Alleged murderer of journalists killed; president vows to end media killings, update libel arrest procedure
(CMFR/IFEX) – The alleged gunman behind the 19 June 2006 killing of journalist/activist couple Maricel Alave Vigo and George Vigo in Kidapawan, Cotabato, has himself been killed, the online publication ” http://www.mindanews.com ” reported. Kidapawan is located in Central Mindanao, a southern island of the Philippines. George Vigo was a contributor of the Union of […]
Court dismisses petition against media censorship by executive branch officials; petitioners to appeal
(CMFR/IFEX) – Thirty seven journalists, the College of Mass Communication of the University of the Philippines, and eight media organizations will appeal a court decision dismissing their petition seeking to prohibit executive branch officials from censoring the media. The petition was filed on 8 March 2006 following President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Presidential Proclamation (PP) 1017 […]
Two ABS-CBN network journalists receives death threats after reporting on election irregularities
(CMFR/IFEX) – A television and radio reporter for the ABS-CBN network each received death threats in Lanao del Norte, a province located in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), after reporting election irregularities in the province. ARMM is in Mindanao, the second largest and southernmost island of the Philippines. On 28 May 2007, the […]