EDITORIAL - Ending impunity

The Philippines has been consistently ranked among the most dangerous and worst places in the world for the press. Besides having one of the highest number of journalists murdered in connection with their work, the country also suffers from institutional weaknesses in catching, prosecuting and punishing the perpetrators.

So today’s observance of the annual International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists holds special significance for media workers in the Philippines. The special day, marked for the first time on Nov. 2, 2013, is held in the same month in 2009 when 32 media workers along with 26 other people were massacred in Maguindanao.

This year’s commemoration is noteworthy for highlighting the role of journalists in promoting the integrity of elections. The 32 who were slain on Nov. 23, 2009 were accompanying a convoy of relatives and supporters of Esmael Mangudadatu in filing his certificate of candidacy for governor of Maguindanao. He was challenging the entrenched dynasty of the Ampatuan clan. The massacre became the worst case of political and election-related violence in the country, and the single worst attack in the world on members of the press.

It’s cold comfort to learn that Latin America and the Caribbean states continue to record the highest number of murders targeting the press. Over 20 journalists were murdered during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. His congressional allies rejected a new franchise for broadcasting giant ABS-CBN, leading to its shutdown. Media workers faced charges for libel, cyber libel and tax evasion; several were branded as communists and terrorists.

In a concept note on this special day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization pointed out that around the world, the physical, legal, digital, psychological and symbolic attacks on the press along with “the continuity of stigmatizing discourse on the part of public officials” intensified particularly during election seasons.

The Philippine press can only agree. A massive disinformation and smear operation unleashed in relation to the campaign for the 2022 elections was accompanied by harassment of journalists by troll armies. Candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte largely avoided the mainstream media.

In the first year of the Marcos administration, three broadcasters were murdered. Suspects have been arrested and prosecuted, but masterminds – such as those behind the killing of Percy Lapid – are at large.

This special day coincides with the Philippines’ observance of All Souls’ Day. In remembering slain journalists, the country can also heed the message of UNESCO on the need for governments and other stakeholders, “to deploy their maximum efforts to generate an environment free of violence for the press, as well as the necessary conditions for them to carry out their work freely, independently and safely.”