Reports critical of Duterte administration being pulled down — report
MANILA, Philippines — There have been instances where newsrooms in the country have resorted to self-censorship in fear of retaliation from the Duterte administration, according to the International Federation of Journalists.
In its Southeast Asia Media Freedom Report 2018 titled "Underneath the Autocrats," the IFJ noted that Filipino journalists have felt that they have no way to respond to or prepare for threats from inside and outside the newsroom.
"Journalists have reported to unions and colleagues being asked to water down or even pull reports seen as too critical of the Duterte administration which might invite retaliation from the government and its supporters," the report read.
The IFJ report added that some Filipino reporters have been receiving hints and suggestions to tone down reports against the administration even before undertaking an assignment.
A survey conducted by the IFJ and the South East Asia Journalist Unions showed that 13.2 percent of respondents consider censorship as the worst threat to their profession.
"Proposed legislation, including amendments to the constitution, also threaten to further erode press freedom and freedom of expression already undermined by existing repressive laws," the IFJ said.
Under the Revised Penal Code, criminal libel is punishable of imprisonment of up to 50 months while the Anti-Cyber Crime Law penalizes online libel a maximum of 12 years jail time.
The report also took note of the proposed constitutional amendment to the Bill of Rights: "No law shall be passed abridging the responsible exercise of the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances."
The IFJ identified the situation of media freedom in the Philippines as worsening to seriously declining.
Key safety threats of media freedom in the country are cyber-attacks, poor wages and working conditions, censorship and government attack on workplace, according to the report.
The report also listed key influencers on safety situation in the Philippines which are media assaults, attacks and killings, government policy and legislation and professional ethics of journalists.
Data from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines indicate that 185 Filipino journalists have been murdered since 1986.
"There are no signs of any government willingness to stop the targeting of journalist and media organizations who believe this official apathy, or even open hostility, has fuelled a culture of impunity which has emboldened those seeking to silence the press," the IFJ said.
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