IFJ seeks Noynoy's commitment to protect journalists

Even before he could be proclaimed, presidential front-runner Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III received on Friday an appeal from an international media group to make a public commitment to end the culture of impunity in the Philippines. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) asked Aquino’s incoming administration to defend journalists’ right to safety and to undertake immediate action to end the culture of impunity in the country. “(IFJ) urges the incoming administration of Benigno Aquino in the Philippines to make a public commitment to defend journalists’ right to safety and to undertake immediate action to end the country’s notorious culture of impunity," it said in its statement posted on its website Friday Manila time. But the group and its local affiliate National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) voiced regret Aquino could not meet with them this week on the matter. Aquino had taken a weeklong leave to “study" the needs of his upcoming job. “The IFJ and the NUJP regret that Aquino was unavailable to meet their representatives this week to provide a personal assurance that he would ensure political, army and police leaders act to end the culture of impunity for violence against journalists, and to take all necessary actions to provide justice to the families and colleagues of the Maguindanao victims," said the IFJ, which represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide. On the other hand, the IFJ called for a full investigation of violence against journalists the during campaign period leading to the recently-concluded national and local elections. “In view of anti-media intimidation and violence throughout the election campaign, and concerns that such incidents will continue, the Commission on Elections, local governments and the Commission on Human Rights must conduct a full, impartial and prompt investigation into all attacks on media personnel during the campaign," said the IFJ, quoting its mission team to the Philippines. The IFJ also noted local journalists said they expected continuing risks for media personnel despite the conclusion of the May elections. It added that post-election tensions and the failure of the outgoing administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to prevent and act decisively on violence against journalists remain key concerns, notably in Mindanao. “Local journalists fear similar incidents may continue post-election as provincial power-holders jostle for control and test the new administration. They note the slow judicial process to prosecute those who initiated and carried out the massacre of 58 people, including 32 journalists and media workers in Maguindanao province in Mindanao last November 23," it said. — LBG, GMANews.TV