MEDIA groups in Bacolod City called for a swift investigation on the assault of a journalist writing for a regional paper.
The Negros Press Club (NPC) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-Bacolod strongly condemned the assault and threat on Panay News' Ranie Azue, who is also an NPC former president.
Azue was physically attacked by some men allegedly linked to a local politician on Friday, February 16, outside the Muews Radio station in Talisay City.
NPC, in a statement, said "this violent act, we believe, is a form of attack on journalists whose primary job is to serve as watchdogs of the society."
"As member of the Fourth Estate, it is our responsibility to maintain vigilance and ensure transparency in all other sectors especially in the government," it added.
"In this pursuit, the lives of journalists are often endangered. There might be mediamen who are 'critical' towards various issues and personalities. This, however, does not merit anyone or whoever to inflict violence against the media," the NPC said.
The group added: "In the case of Azue, we call on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation on the incident. Amid claims that it is job-related, we believe that there are proper venues to resolve whatever issues the perpetrators have against him instead of resorting to threat and physical violence."
The NPC pointed out that this unfortunate event also sends a message that local journalists remain vulnerable to attacks thus, there is a need to uphold the right of the media to work in an environment free from hostility and intimidation.
"Also, we continue to call on our colleagues to maintain fair, balanced and accurate reporting," NPC said.
NUJP-Bacolod, in a statement, also denounced the attack on Azue.
"An attack on journalists, as guardians of the truth, is a threat to our democracy," the statement said.
They called on the authorities to swiftly investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.