Independent press in the Philippines was further stifled a few days before President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who will take over the country on June 30, took office.
Following Rodrigo Duterte’s government, the Philippines National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) this week blocked 28 websites, including two from alternative media and at least five from progressive groups, alleging “Link with the Communist Party” and “communist terrorist”. groups” according to the newspaper Philstar.
This is happening in the country of Maria Ressa, one of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winners, who shared the award with Russian Dmitry Muratov. Although website Rappler is not one of those blocked in this wave, the vehicle previously had restrictions.
Filipino politician censored independent press before leaving
National security adviser Hermogenes Espon Jr., Philippine media reported Wednesday (22nd). using the country’s anti-terrorism law, he asked the NTC to block websites even on the eve of his departure.
Those affected include Bulatlat, the Philippines’ main independent media site, and alternative broadcaster Pinoy Weekly.
The pages of the progressive groups Save Our Schools Network, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Pamalakaya Pilipinas, Amihan and BAYAN have also been blocked.
Esperan, who is also vice chair of the Counter-Terrorism Council, cited the sites’ links to the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army, and the National Democratic Front, which are classified as terrorists by the government.
According to Rappler, these terror ratings are made for an individual or group “only at the discretion of the board itself, without going to court, even without notifying the parties or hearing.”
National Security Advisor Hermogenes Esperan asked the NTC to block access to news sites, based on the identification of the CPP-NPA and NDF as terrorists. @bulatlat and @pinoyweekly as well as sites of other progressive groups @pama_pil and Save Our Schools @rappledotcom pic.twitter.com/USvIbRiC98
— Lian Buan (@lianbuan) 21 June 2022
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned the blockades, stating that Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly are known for their stories of public interest and the problems faced by marginalized groups.
Both media outlets have recently been the target of cyberattacks trying to take their pages offline.
A report published last June by Qurium, a Sweden-based NGO that advocates for digital rights, revealed that the attacks were linked to the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Philippine Armed Forces.
Access restriction has been imposed on Bulatlat as of June 17th. In a statement, he called the exit measure “a dangerous precedent for independent journalism in the Philippines.”
Bulatlat condemns this clear violation of our right to broadcast and the people’s right to freedom of press and expression.
The news site sent a letter to the NTC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on June 20, requesting that agencies investigate Esperan’s allegations. So far they have not received any response.
“We remain fearless in our reality, no matter who is in power. “We will continue our work, considering all available legal avenues, to challenge and prevent further state-sponsored repression,” he said.
The tool launched a mirrored version of the site so Filipinos can access the content.
[A Thread] Why are the forces so afraid of us telling the truth?
Bulatlat is surprised and enraged to learn that the UGK has issued a memorandum on 8 June to all internet service providers, together with 26 other people, to immediately block our website. pic.twitter.com/5ulKu1JrMG
— Bulatlat (@bulatlat) 21 June 2022
In a memo by Philstar, Pinoy Weekly’s publisher, PinoyMedia Center, criticized the regulator’s memo and said it would undermine “its mission to provide the public with alternative views on issues related to marginalized industries”.
The PMC demanded that the NTC withdraw its directive and “let the media do their duty to the public”.
He added that the measure not only violates the freedom of the press, but is also “an insult to people’s right to information, especially with the spread of false and misinformation on social media.”
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Censorship of Philippine press hits Nobel Peace Prize
Like this Happened to Russian Dmity MuratovThe awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize did not prevent journalist Maria Ressa from continuing the persecution by the Philippine government.
Despite the great interest shown in the country’s press brought by the award, the situation of journalism in the Philippines has not improved. Ressa and the newspaper she co-founded, Rappler, are the constant targets of judicial harassment.
In April, he met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the need to defend and protect independent media in the country.
According to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Hold the Line coalition, Rappler has been the subject of at least 14 new lawsuits for online defamation offenses within weeks. symbol of oppression. Press.
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The Philippines uses the tactic of “red labeling,” a way of classifying organizations and people as affiliated with communist or terrorist groups, to intimidate the press and human rights activists.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has already warned of the dangers of this practice, which portrays groups and individuals as legitimate targets for threats, harassment and physical attacks. The NUJP says this labeling in the form of an official government document exacerbates this danger.
In a statement, the association called on Philippine institutions to “reconsider the inclusion of news sites and activist groups on their alleged lists.”
“We also call on members of the journalistic community, press freedom and freedom of expression advocates, and the general public to join us in condemning this flagrant violation of press freedom and the fundamental idea of free flow of information.”
The IFJ also took a stand against pressure from the Philippine press and called for blocking access to independent media outlets for alleged terrorism-related censorship.
“IJF urges Philippine authorities, including the NTC, to immediately restore access to all online media sites and ensure press freedom is protected.”
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source: Noticias
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