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2008 tragic year for press freedom in RP - media group


MANILA, Philippines - An officer of the Philippine National Press Club (NPC) said Monday that 2008 was a tragic year for press freedom in the country, with seven local journalists being killed and several others getting death threats. In a statement, NPC’s president Benny Antiporda said that government’s efforts to solve the cases of media killings were not enough, despite its repeated avowals to do its best to stop the murders. “We demand for a resolution of all cases of media killings, the prosecution and incarceration of the perpetrators and masterminds of the attacks. We ask for no less than justice for all victims," Antiporda said. He also urged the government to conduct investigations into reported threats against media practitioners and ensure that those responsible be prosecuted. “We call on the government, especially the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice, to do more than make public statements and reports. We appreciate their efforts to do their job, but we believe they can do more," he added. The statement cited that the number journalists killed in 2008 has increased to seven compared to five in the previous year. Such a record made the Philippines the fifth most dangerous country for journalists, according to the Press Emblem Campaign, an international movement for press freedom and protection for journalists. “We laud the initiatives of individuals and various media organizations – Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, Philippine Press Institute, Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines – for their relentless fight to defend press freedom in the country," Antiporda said. He also said that the NPC is one with other media organizations in the country who stand in the defense of press freedom. He also called on all media practitioners to unite to fight attempts to silence the press. “We call on Congress to immediately decriminalize libel and stop all proposed measures that would undermine the constitutionally-mandated freedom of expression and the people's right to know," he said. “We appeal to the public to help us become more vigilant and responsible. We know we still can do more to make the people's right to know become our guiding light as we move forward to become truly a people's media," he added. - GMANews.TV
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