Articles by Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Police officer, relieved of duties after reports alleging wrongdoing, blames and threatens radio journalist
(CMFR/IFEX) – A radio reporter has complained of threats by a police officer after the latter became the subject of her reports alleging him of wrongdoing. Lourdes Escaros-Paet, reporter for the radio station dyPR and the weekly community newspaper “Bandillo ng Palawan”, said police officer Antonio Magbanua aired his threats over the radio station dyER […]
Two radio journalists lightly wounded in shooting
(CMFR/IFEX) – Two radio journalists were injured when two unidentified men fired their guns at them on 1 December 2006 in Estancia, Iloilo province, a province located about 400 kilometres south of the capital, Manila. Arnie Pullan and Butch Aclaro, broadcasters at the MBC-Radyo Natin, were on their way home after their programme when two […]
Journalists, media outlets to file civil suit against president’s husband for “violating their right to freedom of expression”
(CMFR/IFEX) – Filipino journalists and media organizations are planning to file a civil suit against the husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, for violating their right to freedom of expression. The planned legal action was announced during a press briefing by lawyer Harry Roque at the University of the Philippines Law Center on 22 November […]
Arrest warrants issued for newspaper publisher, staff
(CMFR/IFEX) – Acting on libel suits filed by Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on 16 October 2006 a Manila court issued arrest warrants against the publisher and several of the staff members, including a former senator, of the national newspaper “Malaya”. In a resolution released early on 16 October, Judge Silvino Pampilo […]
Court convicts three men over journalist Marlene Esperat’s murder
(CMFR/IFEX) – It was a welcome victory for Philippine press freedom on 6 October 2006, when a Cebu City court convicted three men for the murder of journalist Marlene Esperat, after a ten-month trial period. At the same time, prosecutors filed a motion to reinstate the murder cases against two high-ranking government officials believed to […]
Police hot on trail of Aklan broadcaster’s killer
(CMFR/IFEX) – The town mayor charged with the killing of Aklan broadcaster Herson Hinolan has gone missing, following the upgrading of the case from homicide to murder. Police are saying that they cannot serve a warrant of arrest for Lezo Mayor Alfredo Arceno as they have been unable to locate him. Arceno, whom Hinolan had […]
President’s husband suing journalists after allegedly having their programme cancelled, also suing “Daily Tribune” columnist and “Malaya” newspaper publisher
(CMFR/IFEX) – Jose Miguel Arroyo, the husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is planning to file a libel suit against Ramon, Raffy, and Erwin Tulfo for their alleged “rehashed and malicious lies.” Jesus Santos, Arroyo’s lawyer, said that the planned libel suit stemmed from the recent tirades made by the three brothers, broadcast journalists whose […]
House of Representatives approves bill that will lessen use of libel suits to harass media
(CMFR/IFEX) – In a recent positive development, the House of Representatives approved, on third and final reading, House Bill 77, requiring libel suits against journalists, publications or broadcast stations to be filed at the regional trial court of the province or city where the journalist, publication or broadcast station holds its principal office. The approval […]