NUJP to mark World Press Freedom Day with songs, protest

In joining the global celebration of World Press Freedom Day, a Philippine media watchdog reiterated its protest against the exoneration of two members of the powerful Ampatuan clan from murder charges in connection with the Nov. 23, 2009 mass slaughter in Maguindanao province. And as part of the celebration, a gathering would be held Monday afternoon at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani (Heroes' Monument) in Quezon City, said National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) director Rowena Paraan. "Of course there will be a celebration. In fact, we invited journalists to sing. But more than that, the gathering will be an assertion against the [atrocities] committed to media practitioners such as the threats and killings," Paraan told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. Paraan said the event would once again denounce the decision of Justice Secretary Alberto Agra clearing suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan and suspended Mamasapano town Mayor Akmad Ampatuan from any criminal liability arising from the Maguindanao massacre. Members of the Ampatuan clan are being blamed for the killing of 57 people in Ampatuan town. The victims included 32 media workers. The killings drew worldwide condemnation and made the International Federation of Journalists declare the Philippines as the "most dangerous place for journalists." 'Predators' Paraan likewise welcomed the move of the Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontieres), which listed Philippine private armed groups as among the 40 worst "predators" of press freedom worldwide. "It is only fitting that the private armies be included because they pose grave threats to local and community journalists. In our documentation, local officials are also responsible for the threats on journalists," Paraan said. RSF, an international media watchdog, included Philippine private militias in light of the November 23 carnage, which was supposedly carried out by the private army of the Ampatuan clan. — RSJ, GMANews.TV