STATE OF MEDIA FREEDOM IN THE PHILIPPINES 2024
By: CMFR StaffPosted on: May 3, 2024, 12:59 pm This report was presented during the "1st Philippine Media Safety Summit: Surviving Pandemics and Other Provocations by Challenging Current Paradigms" on May 2 at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City in observance of the 31st World Press Freedom Day.IT HAS become a tradition for the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility.....»»
Press freedom index: Philippines falls 2 notches to 134th
The Philippines remains a “difficult country” for journalists as it dropped two spots in the annual press freedom index released by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières/RSF)......»»
British Council celebrates 10 years of sharing LGBTQIA+ stories
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The British Council kicks off the first in-person screening of the Five Films For Freedom programme to live audiences in Cebu on Wednesday, March 13, in partnership with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival The Five Films For Freedom, launched by the British Council and the British Film Institute in 2014,.....»»
VP Sara ready to face ICC charges only before a Filipino court
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her readiness to confront any allegations against her but insisted that she would only do so in front of a Filipino judge and within the jurisdiction of a Filipino court. In a statement on her Facebook page, she emphasized her refusal to participate in any process that could tarnish the reputation and integrity of the Philippine judiciary system. Duterte adamantly opposed the involvement of foreign entities in the country's legal affairs, citing it as a dishonor to the sacrifices made by Filipino heroes for the nation's freedom. Duterte, who previously served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, vehemently denied any involvement in the Davao Death Squad during her terms in office. She expressed dismay over the sudden appearance of a witness against her in the International Criminal Court (ICC) after assuming the vice presidency. Duterte dismissed the accusations and questioned the motives behind the allegations, asserting her capability to accomplish tasks without resorting to unlawful means. In a related development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his refusal to acknowledge the ICC's jurisdiction in the Philippines, considering it a threat to the country's sovereignty. He issued a directive for all government agencies to refrain from cooperating with the ICC, emphasizing the nation's non-recognition of the court's authority. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that ICC investigators had gathered substantial evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding his administration's war on drugs. He anticipated an imminent issuance of an arrest warrant against the former president. Former President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the ICC's decision to initiate a preliminary investigation into the war on drugs, labeling it an insult to the Philippines and challenging the court's jurisdiction within the country. During his presidency, he initiated the withdrawal of the Philippines' membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The ICC appeals chamber recently granted a request to resume the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to the Philippines' controversial drug campaign, spanning from November 2011 to March 2019. The developments surrounding the ICC's probe into the Philippines' internal affairs have sparked a contentious debate, with key political figures and rights groups expressing divergent views on the matter. The ongoing tensions between the Philippines and the ICC underscore the complex intersection of international law, national sovereignty, and human rights issues......»»
UN rapporteur to gov t: Repeal Anti-Terror Law, Cybercrime Prevention Act
Khan called these “laws of concern” that threaten the freedom of expression in the Philippines despite the Constitution’s guarantee of the right to freedom of expression......»»
STATEMENT | Bulatlat reminds Philippine military of culpability in cyber-attacks and misinformation
Bulatlat maintains that these so-called “cyber security” efforts could mean online surveillance, distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks, “fake news” and other forms of attacks aimed to suppress freedom of the press and of expression, as well as the people’s right to information. This issue was brought to the attention of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan who will hold her official country visit next week. The post STATEMENT | Bulatlat reminds Philippine military of culpability in cyber-attacks and misinformation appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Remembering EDSA in Bicol | PNP opts for ‘police power’ in freedom parks
During the People Power commemoration, the Philippine National Police (PNP) occupied all parks in Camarines Sur for their supposed “outreach” program. Still, it did not stop more than 300 activists here to stage a protest action in the afternoon of Feb. 25. The post Remembering EDSA in Bicol | PNP opts for ‘police power’ in freedom parks appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Frail body, sharp mind: Oldest political prisoner longs for freedom
Despite the deteriorating conditions, political prisoner Gerardo Dela Peña remains hopeful that he will still be reunited with his elderly wife Pilar and their family in Camarines Norte. The post Frail body, sharp mind: Oldest political prisoner longs for freedom appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Women writers in detention continue to fight for freedom
In this story, Bulatlat highlights the story of women writers who are in detention for expressing their criticism and dissent through their craft. The post Women writers in detention continue to fight for freedom appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Marcos vows to fight threats to freedom
President Marcos has vowed to continue the fight against threats to freedom and repel those who trample the country’s “sacred shores.”.....»»
EAM Jaishankar speaks to US State Secy Blinken, two leaders share concern over growing tensions in Red Sea
Washington, DC [US], January 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday spoke with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller informed on Thursday, adding that the two leaders discussed the recent attacks on merchant ships by the Yemen-backed Houthi groups in the Red Sea. The two leaders also reaffirmed their maritime cooperation in the region, the State Departmen.....»»
EAM Jaishankar speaks to US State Secy Blinken, two leaders share concern over growing tensions in Red Sea
Washington, DC [US], January 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday spoke with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller informed on Thursday, adding that the two leaders discussed the recent attacks on merchant ships by the Yemen-backed Houthi groups in the Red Sea. The two leaders also reaffirmed their maritime cooperation in the region, the State Departmen.....»»
Rwanda: End Abuses Against Journalists
(Nairobi) - Rwandan authorities should release journalist Dieudonne Niyonsenga, also known as Cyuma Hassan, and urgently investigate serious torture allegations he has made and ensure his rights to freedom of expression, a fair trial and to freedom from torture and ill treatment are respected, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities' failure to transparently accoun.....»»
CHR: Red-tagging among threats to press freedom
In his keynote speech at the opening of the historic 1st Philippine Media Safety Summit, CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said critical journalists are being subjected to red-tagging and surveillance, or are faced with the charges of libel or cyber libel. The post CHR: Red-tagging among threats to press freedom appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
12 years in prison, political prisoner wants freedom on his 85th birthday
"There are no further obstacles that should hinder Tatay Gerry's release as the Board of Pardons and Parole issued a recommendation for the commutation of his sentence to a definite prison term of 12 years." The post 12 years in prison, political prisoner wants freedom on his 85th birthday appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
UN special rapporteur Khan arrives in the Philippines
United Nations special rapporteur Irene Khan has arrived in the Philippines on Monday to embark on a 10-day visit to assess the state of free expression and press freedom in the Philippines......»»
US-Phl-Japan trilateral security cooperation essential
During the state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the Philippines last November where he delivered a speech before a joint session of Congress, he highlighted the trilateral cooperation between the United States, the Philippines and Japan to protect the freedom of the South China Sea......»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, Feb. 20
KABUL -- The Afghan caretaker government has allowed girls graduating from 12th grade to get admission to state-owned medical institutes, state-run Bakhtar news agency reported on Tuesday. "The enrolment of girls who graduated from 12th grade has started in state-run medical institutes in Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshir, Wardak, Ghazni, Paktika, Logar, Khost, Badakhshan, Paktia and Bamyan provinces," the media outlet r.....»»
Abduction by state agents: An isolated incident or a growing pattern
JEERS TO the media for reporting the abduction in Batangas of Jose Marie Estiller on February 20 as an isolated incident and for not providing the necessary background of past cases of abductions and enforced disappearances by state agents in the country. The lack of context ignores the continuing reality of human rights violations against activists and critics during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.Media.....»»
North Korea says it tested new strategic cruise missile
SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea said it tested its new strategic cruise missile on Wednesday, state media KCNA reported on Thursday, confirming what the South Korean military said the day before. The missile dubbed “Pulhwasal-3-31” is currently under development and the test-firing had no impact on the security of neighbouring countries, the state media said, adding.....»»
Journo spends birthday in jail as media groups demand her release anew
“We are calling on the office of UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan to hear our demands. To help us free Frenchie Mae, to help us assert our press freedom, and to help us fight to express.” The post Journo spends birthday in jail as media groups demand her release anew appeared first on Bulatlat......»»