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August 14 , 2007
Defamation charges smother media's freedom of speech in the Philippines
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called again for
defamation law reform in the Philippines, after the latest round of libel
cases against journalists threaten to suffocate the country's freedom of
expression.
According to IFJ affiliate, the National Union of Philippines (NUJP), a
libel suit worth PHP 30 million was filed by Filipino boxer and International
Super Featherweight champion Manuel Pacquiao on July 30, against four staff
of national daily the Manila Bulletin: sports writer Nick Giongco, publisher
Hermogenes P. Pobre, editor-in-chief Crispulo J. Icban Jr., and sports
editor Ding Marcelo, for allegedly attacking his "virtue and reputation."
The article in dispute was written by Giongco, which refers to the alleged
compulsive gambling of Pacquiao, an unsuccessful candidate for a congressional
seat in South Cotabato's first district elections last May.
IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park says such allegations could be
viewed as "blatant attempts to disarm the media of its role as an
information provider to the public for the self-interest of particular
individuals or organisations."
The Manila Bulletin staff members who are being sued by Pacquiao could
be facing a prison sentence as a result of libel in the Philippines still
being classified as a criminal offence.
Furthermore, according to the NUJP, the Commission on Elections is threatening
to file electoral sabotage against at least two unidentified media personalities,
another criminal offence punishable by life imprisonment.
Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer articulates his intention to "cleanse
the (journalism) profession" in his allegations that the media is "spreading
false news, false comment that diminish the credibility of Comelec";
a credibility that the NUJP believes to be already badly tarnished by the
scandals of "Hello Gerci" and the democratic-endangering Lintang
Bedol.
The NUJP perceives Comelec's threat as an attack on the media's freedom
of expression, a view supported by the IFJ's Jacqueline Park.
"The IFJ views the threats as attempts to thwart the media's role
as an independent and critical estate, and therefore, the public's right
to know," Park said.
"The libel laws in the Philippines currently dictate that any information
revealed by journalists which is deemed to be damaging to an organisation
or individual personally, is allowed to be legally convicted, at the same
time restricting the public's right to this information and the very function
of the media in providing an invaluable and independent service to the
public," Park said.
For further information contact
IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists
in 114 countries