Miriam wants 'alternative media' covered in bill vs journalists' killing

MANILA, Philippines –  Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has called for the inclusion of news writers working for alternative media in the coverage of the bill classifying the killing of journalists as murder.                                                                                         

The Senate committees on justice and human rights and constitutional amendments has submitted its report on the two bills seeking an amendment of Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code to classify as murder the killing of journalists while exercising their duties.

Separate bills filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Loren Legarda have been consolidated in the committee report because both seek the same amendment.                                                                

Covered by the bills are journalists working for print, television and radio, considered as traditional news media. Santiago said journalists working for non-traditional media, such as news websites, should be given equal protection under the law because they may be exposed to the same dangers faced by practitioners in traditional media.

“There is no reason why only members of the broadcast and print media should be included in the proposed law,” Santiago said. “Due regard must also be given to practitioners of the digital media or those whose mode of communication is the Internet and mobile phones.”