Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Philippines most dangerous place for journalists next to Iraq: CMFR
THIRTY-six years contained a significant change in the Philippine Press.
In 1972, it was considered the freest in Asia, according to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).
Because of that freedom, it became an easy target during the Marcos dictatorship because “press criticism was regarded as a threat to government.”
While Philippine Press was challenged during the Marcos regime, press freedom was restored through a new constitution following the 1986 People Power Revolution.
But the Philippine Press never got back to being the freest in Asia again.
Now, the Philippines has been described by CMFR as the “most dangerous place for journalists next to Iraq and the most murderous place in the world for journalists.”
CMFR recorded a total of 53 journalists killed in the Philippines. Only 33, though, were considered media-related.
In Cebu, two journalists were killed since 2004 but none of them were considered media-related.
The Freeman photographer Allan Dizon was killed in November 2004. His assailant, Edgar Belandres, was meted the death penalty during his conviction.
Broadcaster George Benaojan was also shot to death in December 2006. A boxer, Jinky “Michael” Jagdon is on trial for Benaojan’s murder.
Journalists are popular targets in extra-judicial killings.
As journalist and CMFR deputy executive director Luis Teodoro explained, the media has a “far-ranging” power.
“The media can repress or liberate. It can promote or hold back. It can influence behavior, persuade, and structure definitions of reality...” said Teodoro.
Journalists must be skilled and knowledgeable, as well as ethical. A journalist must practice freedom and responsibility, equally. The problem is, some journalists practice freedom without its complimentary responsibility.
“Kasi ang iba, pinabili lang nang suka, pagbalik periodista na. (There are some who were just sent to an errand and when they came back, they are already journalists). Someone who just got lost,” he said in jest.
But journalists are not the only victims of extra-judicial killings.
Prof. Ibarra Gutierrez III, director of the Institute of Human Rights, defined extra-legal killings as an illegal killing of persons, usually political, dissident, and social figures.
It may be perpetrated by the government or state authorities, nongovernment armed groups like insurgents, and criminal organizations.
Dean Merlin Magallona of the University of the Philippines College of Law warned officials of being behind summary executions as they can be held liable. (JGA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 30, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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