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NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES
(NUJP)
DAVAO CITY CHAPTER
Media Release: Philippines
February 23, 2007
On the occasion
of "International Day of Action against Impunity"
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries, has declared February 23, 2007 as "International Day of Action against Impunity and for the Safety of Filipino Journalists."
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Davao Chapter calls on fellows to wear black today to signify solidarity in the action.
Just recently, we count the 50th journalist victim of summary killings under the President Arroyo administration. The death of Hernani Pastolero Sr. of a Sultan Kudarat newspaper Lightning Courier happened at the time when the world's eyes were on the Philippines because of the visit of a UN Rapporteur to look into the killings.
As we continue to count the dead among us, we enjoin all journalists and broadcasters to unite against the threat that strikes at the heart of our profession.
That journalists in this country continue to be killed and are killed for their work in dissenting an oppressive system where mounting crime, corruption and rights abuses exist; That in most of these killings, agents of state security and people holding high positions of power are involved and have remained scot-free; That government fails to act on the killings and instead, comes up with actions and policies that further encourage attacks on journalists, make the climate of impunity continue to be present in the territory by which Filipino journalists operate today.
In small town and cities where killings of journalists have repeatedly occurred, the few influential people still lord over. They are deeply entrenched in the top levels of the bureaucracy. They are so influential that they can easily do things and get away with it. It's very difficult to be a poor and hard-hitting journalist and earn their ire.
Justice to the victims comes slow for many reasons. There are cases where the police themselves have shown questionable quality of investigation work, or are themselves involved in the stonewalling of the cases. There are cases too where the perpetrators and masterminds exert influence in the trial of their cases in the courts.
Meanwhile, many survivors and witnesses continue to live threatened lives as cases hardly move in the courts towards conviction. Only four of 49 cases of journalist killed under President Arroyo reached conviction. These involved hitmen. Not a single mastermind has ever been convicted.
Already, this inaction of government over the killings of journalists emboldens those who are bent on imposing death as an ultimate censorship to their critics.
And for government to show overt attacks on media institutions only encourages further attacks on journalists. A case in point is National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales who once warned of "possible infiltration by communists in the newsrooms." The same official said that media practitioners "are either mercenaries or sympathizers who will continue to create issues even though they know if they are helping the leftist cause." Such statement of an official is irresponsible to say the least. It is dangerous as it enhances the idea that media people are fair game.
The action of the First Gentleman in filing a libel suit against more than 40 journalists for their critical articles shows abuse of power and intolerance of criticism.
Furthermore, the government has continued passing laws that only undermine whatever is left of our civil liberties, such as the Anti-Terrorism Bill.
All these contribute further to the reigning climate of impunity.
We urge journalists to relentlessly fight impunity, never backing out from our duties to democracy. A free media is crucial to a free nation. Let us keep fighting as we unite against threats to press freedom and threats to our lives!
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines-Davao Chapter
For Reference:
Carmelito Q. Francisco
Chairperson
NUJP-Davao City chapter
Contact: 09184415074