CPJ condemns ‘absurd’ prison sentence of up to 18 years for Philippine journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio
Tacloban City, January 22, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday condemned the harsh 12- to 18-year prison sentence handed down to Philippine journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio after she was found guilty of financing terrorism, and called on authorities to immediately free her and stop targeting journalists. “This absurd verdict shows that the various pledges…
CPJ, partners call on Philippines’ Marcos to free Frenchie Mae Cumpio ahead of firearms verdict
The Committee to Protect Journalists and a coalition of press freedom organizations are urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a week before a Philippine court is set to rule in the first of two cases that could see her jailed for up to 40 years. Cumpio, who…
Philippines tells CPJ it will uphold due process ahead of Frenchie Mae Cumpio verdict
New York, January 7, 2026—The Philippines’ presidential office has told the Committee to Protect Journalists that it will uphold due process and protect the rights of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, weeks before key judgments in a long-running case that could see her jailed for up to 40 years. On December 8, ahead of International Human…
CPJ, partners welcome dismissal of Philippine murder case against Frenchie Mae Cumpio
New York, November 7, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists and partners welcomed a Philippine court’s decision to quash the murder charges against community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and called on authorities to drop all remaining charges against her. The 26-year-old journalist has been held in detention for nearly six years since her arrest in February 2020 on charges of…
CPJ and more than 250 journalists urge Philippine leader to free Frenchie Mae Cumpio
New York, September 24, 2025—More than 250 journalists and representatives from media groups around the world on Wednesday called for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take “decisive action” and immediately release journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, in a letter coordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio coalition. The 26-year-old journalist has…
CPJ, partners call for journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s release as Philippines marks Press Freedom Day
New York, August 29, 2025–Ahead of National Press Freedom Day in the Philippines on August 30, the Committee to Protect Journalists and partners have called on the country’s president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and his administration to immediately release journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio as her trial nears its conclusion. The 26-year-old journalist has been held in prison for more than…
‘A well-orchestrated lie’: Detained Philippine journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio tells UN
Geneva, June 27, 2025—A handwritten letter by journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been detained in the Philippines for more than five years without a conviction, was read out at the United Nations headquarters by U.N. special envoy Irene Khan, who called the 26-year-old’s prolonged detention “a travesty of justice.” It was the first time…
CPJ joins landmark mission to the Philippines supported by the Media Freedom Coalition
Manila, June 20, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists and partner organizations have completed a joint mission to the Philippines, a first-of-its-kind effort supported by the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), a grouping of 51 member states committed to defending press freedom worldwide. During the June 16-20 mission, CPJ, Reporters Without Borders, and Free Press Unlimited took…
CPJ, partners denied visit to jailed Philippine journalist
Tacloban City, June 16, 2025—Philippine authorities on Monday refused to allow the Committee to Protect Journalists and a coalition of press freedom organizations to visit jailed journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio during a joint mission aimed at asking authorities to end her more than five-year detention. CPJ and the groups had submitted a formal request through the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) on May…
CPJ, partners urge Philippine president to end Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s prolonged detention as trial enters key stage
The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday joined four press freedom organizations in urging Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and its Department of Justice to end the detention of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been behind bars for more than five years. The groups said in a joint statement, led by CPJ, that the 26-year-old…