CPJ, partners welcome 110-year graft sentence for main suspect in Philippine journalist’s murder
August 5, 2025—Press freedom organizations Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcome the corruption conviction of former Palawan governor Joel T. Reyes – the alleged mastermind behind the 2011 murder of journalist Gerry Ortega – handed down last week by the Sandiganbayan, the Philippines’ anti-graft court in Quezon City. Reyes…
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 call for swift trial after ex-governor surrenders over Philippine journalist’s murder
New York, September 11, 2024—A coalition of three international press freedom organizations on Wednesday called for a swift and impartial trial after fugitive ex-governor Joel T. Reyes surrendered to authorities in connection with the 2011 murder of Philippine broadcast journalist Gerry Ortega. “This is long overdue. Former governor Joel T. Reyes has evaded justice for…
CPJ, partners urge Germany’s Scholz to press Philippine leader on journalist’s killing during visit
March 11, 2024 – German authorities must prioritize the Philippines’ abysmal record of impunity in the murder of journalists during the official visit by Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. scheduled for March 11-13, a coalition of three international press freedom organizations said on Monday. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz should make press freedom and specifically the…
Despite long legal battle, alleged mastermind behind murder of courageous Filipino journalist still at large
Amsterdam, February 28, 2022 – Substantial flaws were found in the legal procedures in the case of murdered Filipino journalist Gerry Ortega, A Safer World For The Truth finds in its latest investigation. The report also finds that the alleged mastermind of Ortega’s murder, former governor of Palawan province Joel T. Reyes, still exerts considerable…