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January 23, 2007
PNP has resorted to rumor-mongering to justify press freedom
violations
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is alarmed over
statements made by authorities that a journalist supposedly aided fugitive
Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon escape after the November 29 Makati standoff.
Especially worrisome is the way authorities are releasing information – tantamount
to rumor-mongering and done behind the skirt of anonymous and unofficial
sources.
First, it was floated as a rumor. Then the names of journalists Ellen
Tordesillas and Ces Drilon were floated while police and government officials
announced that a case was being readied against the reporter. Now comes
a report quoting anonymous senior police officers pointing to Jiji Press
reporter Dana Batnag as the supposed savior of Faeldon.
This show has been going on for several weeks now and has already become quite tiring. To this day, the police and Department of Justice have yet to show concrete evidence and file a formal case against any journalist.
We cannot help but link these insinuations to the arrest of our colleagues
during the Makati stand off and the subsequent unabashed threats of similar
arrests if journalists do not obey so-called "lawful orders." We view
it as part of an insidious campaign to intimidate media and control the
flow of information.
We challenge the police to show the RPN footage that it claims shows
Batnag helping Faeldon. We challenge them to file the case if they have
a case to file. Otherwise, they should stop the witchhunting and rumor-mongering
that it has allowed itself to sink into. We stand by any journalist that
the PNP will falsely accuse in its shameful campaign to justify its arrest
of journalists last Nov. 29 and the subsequent threats they issued.
We call on our colleagues in media to stand firm against this campaign
of intimidation and to remain true to our calling to serve the people's
right to know.
References:
Joe Torres Jr., NUJP chair
Rowena Paraan, NUJP Secretary-General