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January 12, 2007
DOJ warning to media: A clear and shameless attempt to criminalize press
freedom
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) calls on all journalists and media organizations to defy Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez' warning to hold media criminally liable for "disobeying" so-called lawful orders from government officers.
It is a clear and shameless attempt to criminalize the exercise of press freedom and a clear case of prior restraint - a violation of the Philippine Constitution, no less - that no self-respecting journalist and media outfit will accept.
Heeding such a warning would be to abrogate the media's duty to serve the people's right to know.
That the official supposedly tasked with ensuring our laws are upheld
can even entertain such an unconstitutional idea while continuing to
turn a blind eye to the many unsolved media assaults and murders can
only indicate how much this administration values our rights and freedoms.
Reference:
Jose Torres Jr.
NUJP chairperson