The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reports

with distress the murder of a radio broadcaster in the Philippines, as the country joins

Somalia as leaders in the world

league of infamy in media worker deaths this year.

According to the

National Union of Journalists of the

Philippines (NUJP),

an IFJ affiliate, Godofredo Linao Junior was shot dead in the early hours of

July 27 in Barabo town, Surigao del Sur, after reportedly receiving a

threatening text message about 1am. Linao is the sixth journalist killed in the

Philippines this

year.

Linao was the coordinator

of the Radyo Natin program “Kapamilya Walan Iwanan” and also worked as the

spokesperson for the Surigao del Sur Vice Governer Librado Navarro at the time

of his death, the NUJP reports.

While the motive for the

murder is unconfirmed, Radyo Natin station manager Mar Alvizo acknowledged that

Linao was a broadcaster who did not hesitate to take on the most controversial

issues. 

“This latest murder fits

the pattern of systemic violence against journalists in the Philippines and

particularly radio broadcasters, whose professional work is to report and

comment on controversial and sensitive issues,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director

Jacqueline Park said.

Linao’s murder occurred hours before

Philippines President Gloria

Macapagal-Arroyo delivered her ninth State of the Nation address in Quezon City, north of the capital Manila.

A statement issued by the

NUJP on July 26 said 68 journalists

have been killed during Arroyo’s presidential term, accounting for more than 60

per cent of journalists murdered since the restoration of democracy in the

Philippines in 1986.

In comparison to the staggering

number of killings, trials have been few and actual convictions number a paltry

three. The NUJP believes that this dismal track record in investigating the

murders of media workers is feeding the climate of impunity enjoyed by the foes

of free speech.

The IFJ joins the NUJP in calling on

the authorities in Surigao del Sur to act swiftly to ensure the perpetrators of

this most recent crime against journalism are brought to

justice.

For

further information contact IFJ

Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

The IFJ

represents over 600,000 journalists

in 120 countries worldwide