Philippines / Asia

  

CPJ, 73 media and rights groups urge Asian heads of state to release jailed journalists

Given that a staggering number of imprisoned journalists are held in jails across the Asian continent, CPJ and other groups call on leaders of these countries to release them at this time of grave public health concern.

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Security forces are seen in San Juan, the Philippines, on March 2, 2020. Police recently arrested journalist Frenchiemae Cumpio on firearms charges. (Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)

Philippine journalist Frenchiemae Cumpio detained since February on firearms charges

Philippine journalist Frenchiemae Cumpio has been held in detention since February 7, 2020, on “illegal firearms possession” charges, according to news reports and a statement by the National Union of the Journalists of the Philippines, a local press freedom group.

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Police officers are seen in Manila, the Philippines, on March 25, 2020. National police recently filed a criminal complaint on behalf of Cavite City authorities against two journalists for spreading 'false information' about COVID-19. (AFP/Ted Aljibe)

Two reporters charged for spreading ‘false information’ about COVID-19 in the Philippines

Bangkok, April 3, 2020 — Cavite City authorities in the Philippines should withdraw their criminal complaints against journalists Mario Batuigas and Amor Virata, and refrain from threatening journalists covering the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Soldiers are seen in Manila, the Philippines, on March 15, 2020. The country's state of emergency includes a regulation imposing criminal penalties for spreading ‘false news’ about the coronavirus pandemic. (AP/Aaron Favila)

Philippines COVID-19 state of emergency includes prison time for spreading ‘false news’

Bangkok, March 27, 2020 — The Philippine Congress should repeal a recently enacted regulation that imposes criminal penalties for spreading ‘false news’ about the coronavirus pandemic, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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People attends a protest in support of broadcaster ABS-CBN in Manila, the Philippines, on February 10, 2020. Philippine Solicitor General Jose Calida recently filed a petition against the broadcaster with the Supreme Court. (AFP/Ted Aljibe)

Philippines solicitor general petitions to strip news broadcaster ABS-CBN of its franchise

Bangkok, February 11, 2020 — Philippine Solicitor General Jose Calida should withdraw a petition asking the Supreme Court to cancel television news broadcaster ABS-CBN’s franchise agreement and should stop all legal harassment of the media organization, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A relative of one of the Maguindanao massacre victims addresses the crowd during a rally to call for justice in Quezon city, on December 18, 2019. A Philippines court today issued its verdict on the 2009 attack, in which 58 people, including 32 journalists and media workers, were killed. (AP/Aaron Favila)

Ten years for justice in Maguindanao case is too long: We can do better

Never Forget. This became the rallying cry among journalists, freedom of expression activists and human rights defenders as they demanded justice following the massacre on November 23, 2009 of 58 people in Maguindanao. The attack, in which 32 journalists and media workers were killed, was the single deadliest event for the press that CPJ has…

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Some of the accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre are seen attending the promulgation of the case inside a Taguig City prison, in this December 19, 2019 handout picture. A court today found masterminds Andal Ampatuan Jr., his brother Zaldy Ampatuan, and 26 accomplices guilty of murder for the November 23, 2009 attack that killed 58 people, including 32 journalists and media workers. (Handout via Reuters)

In the Philippines, convictions finally achieved for Maguindanao massacre

Bangkok, December 19, 2019—The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed a Philippine court’s decision to hold to account the mastermind, his brother and 26 accomplices of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen in Quezon City on August 27, 2019. Duterte recently threatened to block the franchise renewal of Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN. (AP/Bullit Marquez)

Duterte threatens to shut down Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN

Bangkok, December 5, 2019 — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his government should not show bias in renewing broadcasters’ licenses and should cease threatening the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (C) gestures as he looks at the diorama of the new Philippine National Police Academy during the 118th anniversary of the service, at the Camp Crame headquarters in Manila on August 9, 2019. A radio journalist was killed in the central Philippines on November 7, 2019. (AFP/Noel Celis)

Radio journalist Dindo Generoso shot and killed in the Philippines

Bangkok, November 11, 2019–The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the killing of radio reporter Dindo Generoso in the central Philippines, and called on Philippine authorities to identify the motive behind the killing and bring all of the perpetrators swiftly to justice.

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Police officers are seen in Tanauan city, Philippines, on July 4, 2018. Police are investigating the recent shooting of journalist Benjie Caballero. (AP/Bullit Marquez)

Radio journalist Benjie Caballero shot in the Philippines

Bangkok, November 4, 2019 — Philippine authorities should conduct a fast and thorough investigation into the shooting of journalist Benjie Caballero, determine if the attack was connected to his reporting, and bring the perpetrators swiftly to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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