Philippines / Asia

  

Getting Away with Murder

CPJ’s 2019 Global Impunity Index spotlights countries where journalists are slain and their killers go free Published October 29, 2019 Somalia is the world’s worst country for the fifth year in a row when it comes to prosecuting murderers of journalists, CPJ’s 2019 Global Impunity Index found. War and political instability have fostered a deadly…

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A farmer carries harvested rice stalks in Ifugao province, Philippines on June 30, 2011. A reporter in Ifugao who covered local land and rights issues was shot August 6, 2019. (Reuters/Cheryl Ravelo)

American journalist shot, critically wounded in Philippines

Bangkok, August 9, 2019 – An American journalist working in the Philippines was shot and critically wounded on August 6 while retrieving his daughter from school in the northern province of Ifugao, according to his outlet and other press reports.

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Rappler editor Maria Ressa is seen in Pasig City, Philippines, on March 29, 2019. Ressa's cyber libel trial recently opened in the Philippines. (Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)

Cyber libel trial opens against Philippine journalist Maria Ressa

Bangkok, July 25, 2019 — Philippine authorities should drop pending cyber libel charges against Rappler editor Maria Ressa and cease their legal harassment campaign against her, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Philippine National Police SWAT members are seen in Tanauan City on July 4, 2018. Radio broadcaster Eduardo Dizon was recently killed in Kidapawan City, in the southern Philippines. (AP/Bullit Marquez)

Radio anchor Eduardo Dizon shot and killed in the Philippines

Bangkok, July 15, 2019 — Philippine authorities should conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the killing of radio broadcaster Eduardo Dizon, determine if it was connected to his journalism, and bring the perpetrators swiftly to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Journalists pictured in the Manila offices of Rappler, in January 2018. The outlet is one of four Philippine media groups smeared in a campaign that alleges they are in the pay of the CIA. (Reuters/Dondi Tawatao)

Rappler-CIA plot claim is attempt to cut funding, Philippine journalists say

First were the politically motivated state charges that funding provided to the news website Rappler by a U.S. philanthropic foundation represented a violation of constitutional provisions barring foreign control or ownership of Philippine media.

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks to media on October 27, 2016. The president recently provided information to a Philippine daily alleging media and human rights organizations were plotting a coup against him. (Reuters/Issei Kato)

Philippine news and human rights organizations accused of ‘plot’ against Duterte

Washington, D.C., April 24, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern over Philippines President Roderigo Duterte providing information to The Manila Times, a local daily, alleging that media and legal groups orchestrated a “plot” to discredit and oust him.

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CPJ mission finds increased intimidation, shrinking space for free press in the Philippines

Manila, April 16, 2019–A Committee to Protect Journalists mission to the Philippines, led by Board Chair Kathleen Carroll, found increasing levels of intimidation and a shrinking space for the free press in the country. The mission–joined by Peter Greste, director of the Australia-based Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom (AJF), and CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Steven Butler–is…

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Maria Ressa, executive editor of news website Rappler, speaks to the media after posting bail in a cyber-libel case at a court in Manila City, Philippines, on February 14, 2019. Philippine authorities issued arrest warrants for Ressa and several other Rappler executives on March 28 in a separate case. (Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)

Philippines issues arrest warrants against Rappler’s Maria Ressa, other executives

Bangkok, March 28, 2019 – Authorities in the Philippines issued today arrest warrants against news website Rappler editors and executives, including executive editor and founder Maria Ressa, for violating laws barring foreign ownership of media, according to news reports.

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Maria Ressa leaves the Rappler office after being served an arrest warrant in Pasig City, Philippines, on February 13, 2019. (Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)

CPJ condemns arrest of Rappler’s Maria Ressa on cyber libel charge

Bangkok, February 13, 2019–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Philippine authorities to immediately release and drop all pending charges against Maria Ressa, executive editor and founder of the critical news website Rappler.

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Vehicles on a highway heading to the port in Matnog, Sorsogon, the Philippines, on December 17, 2017. A radio broadcaster was killed in Sorsogon City on January 9, 2018. (AFP/Charism Sayat)

Radio broadcaster killed under suspicious circumstances in the Philippines

Bangkok, January 11, 2018–Philippine authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the killing of Filipino news broadcaster John Michael Decano and bring the assailant to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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