IFJ Calls for Support for Press Freedom Campaign in Philippines

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in promoting a signature campaign to oppose a proposed Right of Reply Bill in the Philippines.

 

The NUJP, an IFJ affiliate, is concerned that the proposed Bill will allow for the violation of media independence and freedom of expression in the Philippines.

 

The Bill includes articles which would legislate what the media must publish in cases where individuals or organisations seek redress for media reports with which they disagree. The NUJP fears that the Bill will encourage the media and journalists to self-censor, particularly with regard to media investigations into allegations of corruption and organised crime.

 

The IFJ fully supports the NUJP in its view that legitimate grievances with media reporting must be dealt with through open mediation and self-regulating mechanisms, and not by enforcement of a law that risks imposing restrictions on media reporting in the public interest.

 

“The IFJ calls on the ruling authorities and civil society in the Philippines to affirm respect for the principle that all disputes on media coverage and content are best resolved in a democratic society through a process of dialogue and constructive mediation,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

 

The IFJ encourages its affiliates and other press freedom organisations to support the independence of the media in the Philippines by signing onto the NUJP campaign.

 

So far, 426 individuals have signed the petition. Media organisations which have signed include the NUJP, the IFJ, Business World, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Cebu Citizens-Press Council, GMA News and Public Affairs, ABS CBN News and Public Affairs, Kodao Productions, Publishers Association of General Santos City, South Cotabato and Sarangani (PAGES), Malacañang Press Corps, the Philippine Press Club of Ontario (PPCO) Canada and the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)

 

Below is the NUJP’s “Unified Statement on the Right of Reply Bill”. Please send your endorsement of this statement – as an individual or organisation – to the NUJP at [email protected].

1. The Right of Reply Bill is an ill-conceived piece of legislation that violates two of the most cherished freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, those of the press and of expression.


2. It is both unfortunate and ironic that the principal authors of the bill in the two chambers of Congress ought to have known better, Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. having earned his reputation as a champion of civil rights and Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella having been president of the Negros Press Club.


3. It is also clear, from the pronouncements of both lawmakers, that this bill is a product of the sorriest excuse for legislation – personal pique.


4. The House version of the bill, HB 3306, parrots the Senate's SB2150 except it would have the reply run a day after receipt  instead of the three days the Senate grants, and seeks to impose heftier fines and the absence of self-regulation (in the case of block-timers) and sunset clauses.


5. Both bills state that "all persons…who are accused directly or indirectly of committing, having committed or intending to commit any crime or offense defined by law, or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in behavior in public or private life shall have the right to reply to charges or criticisms published or printed in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or publications circulated commercially or for free, or aired or broadcast over radio, television, websites, or through any electronic devices."


6. They also would mandate that these replies be "published or broadcast in the same space of the newspapers, magazine, newsletter or publication, or aired over the same program on radio, television, website or through any electronic device."


7. The danger in the right of reply bill is that it would legislate what the media OUGHT to publish or air, while casting a chilling effect that could dissuade the more timorous from publishing or airing what they SHOULD.


8. The bills would free public officials, especially the corrupt – and they are legion – of accountability and give them carte blanche to force their lies on the suffering public.


9. As one article on the right of reply bill says, “It lumps together imputations of a crime with simple criticism ‘of any lapse in behavior in public or private life’ or what would otherwise be considered ‘fair comment.’ There is no judicial review. It does not differentiate direct and indirect criticism. It has been noted that under the proposed law a journalist does not even have to be in error to draw a right of reply claim."


10. We would be the last to say that the Philippine media are without fault. Yes, we understand perfectly the frustration and anger of Pimentel and Puentevella over some media outlet's refusal to air their sides on issues.


11. Alas, but we cannot allow the sins of the few to be an excuse for the wholesale muzzling of a free press and the suppression of free expression. To do so would allow bad governance to triumph.

12. We call on Senator Pimentel and Representative Puentevella to withdraw their bills.


13. We urge the media and the people to close ranks against the passage of this bill, to challenge it before the Supreme Court if it is passed, and, if even that fails, to defy it by refusing to comply.


14. No less than our freedoms are at stake. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.

 

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

 

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide