The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has identified state forces as the primary threat to media freedom, marking World Press Freedom Day with a call for an immediate end to systemic attacks against the press.
In a statement released Sunday, the NUJP revealed that it has documented 242 media freedom violations under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The group emphasized that a significant 43 percent of these incidents allegedly involve government agents and state security forces.
“The attacks do not happen in a vacuum. Those in power want the truth to be hidden, obfuscated or distorted for their selfish interests,” the NUJP said.
DEADLY TOLLS AND DENIALS
The organization reported that 10 media workers have been killed during the current presidency, with perpetrators largely remaining unpunished. The NUJP specifically condemned the military’s narrative regarding community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma, who was killed in a recent encounter.
“In the case of community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma, the state military lied through its teeth claiming that our colleague was a combatant in an attempt to justify the murder,” the group stated.
The NUJP also highlighted the ongoing detention of Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a Tacloban-based journalist convicted earlier this year on terrorism financing charges—a case the group maintains is politically motivated.
PERSISTENT LEGAL AND DIGITAL THREATS
Despite a landmark 2024 Supreme Court ruling declaring red-tagging a threat to life and security, the NUJP noted that the practice persists alongside several other methods of suppression:
- Legal Harassment: Frequent libel complaints designed to drain resources.
- Digital Attacks: Targeted surveillance, cyberattacks, and online harassment.
- Information Barriers: Continued denial of access to public records and government information.
The group lamented that key recommendations from UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, such as the decriminalization of libel and the passage of a Freedom of Information (FOI) law, have been ignored by the state.
“We call on the public to stand with us in defending media freedom and democracy,” the NUJP added.