Int’l media group presents action plan to Aquino

As it congratulated the country's 15th President, an international media group presented to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III an action plan aiming to end impunity as shown in the continued murders of several media practitioners in the Philippines. The International Federation of Journalists sought independent investigations of violence against media, particularly the victims of the Maguindanao massacre, and the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill, which the House of Representatives failed to ratify. "It is our view that a robust and independent media sector is essential to democracy and assurance of respect for universal human rights. However, the long-running culture of impunity surrounding the deaths and violent assaults and intimidation of Filipino journalists pervades the Philippines, and is a significant impediment to the full realization of these rights," IFJ said in its open letter signed by secretary general Aidan White. "Again, we respectfully request that you use your authority as President to act on the grave concerns held by the IFJ and its affiliates around the world for the welfare of our colleagues in the Philippines, in the spirit of serving the best interests of all citizens of the Philippines," it added. The IFJ said it is saddened about the three murders of media personnel in recent weeks, including those of two radio commentators and a newspaper writer. It added that the recent murders of three media personnel are especially disturbing, as they happened less than a year after 32 journalists were killed among 57 people in the Maguindanao massacre on Nov. 23 last year.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 members in 125 countries, and has a long and close working relationship with the media community in the Philippines. On the other hand, the group reminded Aquino's administration of the Philippines' obligations as a signatory to the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949 and to the 1997 Additional Protocol on the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II) to ensure the protection of journalists as civilians. It said, "Article 13 of Protocol II states: The civilian population as such, as well as individual civilians, shall not be the object of attack. Acts or threats of violence the primary purpose of which is to spread terror among the civilian population are prohibited." IFJ also drew Aquino's attention to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1738, which was adopted in 2006 and stresses the civilian status of journalists reporting in war zones and crisis areas within national borders. The resolution states: "All parties to an armed conflict comply fully with the obligations applicable to them under international law related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including journalists, media professionals and associated personnel." "Therefore, the Philippines Government is required by international law to remedy the current situation and redress the past injustices carried out against journalists. The recommendations that follow are based on close engagement with local organizations and the findings of an emergency mission the IFJ led in the immediate aftermath of the Ampatuan Town Massacre," it said in its letter. The recommendations contained in the proposed action plan will serve as indicators for assessing the progress of the Philippine government in meeting its responsibilities to protect journalists as civilians, the IFJ said. These recommendations urge the Philippine government to: * Prosecute all perpetrators of the Ampatuan Town Massacre in Maguindanao; conduct fully open and transparent trials that are free from political interference. * Initiate immediately a full and open investigation into the involvement of the military, police and government officials in the Ampatuan Town massacre. An independent and impartial investigator, endorsed by the Human Rights Commission of the Philippines, is appointed to lead the inquiry. All appropriate resources, including protection, are provided to ensure the investigator can do his/her work without hindrance. The investigator’s final report is completed by 1 December 2010 and tabled in the Congress. * Establish an independent commission with full judicial powers to call witnesses to publicly inquire into repeated and ongoing instances of assaults, threats, intimidation, abductions, illegal detention and murder of journalists in the Philippines, and the reasons for the failure of authorities to take action against perpetrators. The terms of reference will be devised in consultation with the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the Human Rights Commission of the Philippines and other media groups. The commission’s recommendations will be made public and acted upon by the Government of the Philippines. The commission will be established by 1 October 2010, and will report to Congress by 30 June 2011. * Establish independent an independent task force to implement credible judicial proceedings, endorsed by the Human Rights Commission of the Philippines and international legal experts, to fully investigate the murder cases of [the 140 media personnel in the Philippines since 1986] and conduct prosecutions. These legal proceedings should be done in consultation with the Department of Justice, the Philippines National Police together with the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists. This action must be initiated by 1 October 2010. The task force and proceedings will be funded by the Government of the Philippines. There will be full public disclosure of all evidence and official records. * Immediately and credibly investigate any new attacks on media personnel and human rights defenders (murder, assault, abduction, threats and intimidation), and swiftly bring perpetrators to justice. * Order the suspension from office state actors or associates that are reasonably suspected and linked to any new attacks (murder, assault, abduction, threats and intimidation) on media personnel and human rights defenders. All information on such cases is publicly available. Perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice. The IFJ, its associates and other international organizations will closely monitor such cases. * Issue a congressional statement in defense of the rights of journalists and the media, recognizing the Philippines’ commitment to the Geneva Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1738 and acknowledging the vital role journalists play in strengthening democracy by informing communities and scrutinizing power. * Legislate national laws that enshrine the sentiments of the above congressional statement, with specific reference to the Government’s commitment and responsibility to protect and defend the rights of journalists and the media, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1738. * Provide financial resources, with full transparency, to the families of all killed journalists for legal support and ongoing trauma counseling. * Act to ensure the Freedom of Information Bill is passed by the Congress at the first sitting of the new Congress. * Commit itself not to pass any legislation or issue any executive order that will curtail press freedom and freedom of expression, and it will move to decriminalize libel at the first sitting of the new Congress. * Cooperate with the NUJP, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and media owners to develop and implement a sustained training program for police, military and government employees and elected office holders on the rights of journalists pursuant to the above international legal instruments. The program is fully resourced and activated by 1 December 2010. * Initiate and conduct a series of public meetings in all provinces of the country to raise awareness among the broader public of the rights of journalists in serving the public interest, and the Government’s commitment and responsibility to defend and uphold these rights. The meetings will form the basis of a national public awareness campaign in support of media freedom, democracy and human rights in the Philippines. This will be done on in cooperation with the NUJP, CHR and media owners, initiates and conducts a series of public meetings nationwide to raise awareness among the broader public of the rights of journalists in serving the public interest, and the government’s commitment and responsibility to defend and uphold these rights. The meetings will form the basis of a national public awareness campaign in support of media freedom, democracy and human rights in the Philippines. The IFJ added that media employers must commit themselves to providing journalists, especially those in the provinces, with fair treatment. Collective agreements between managements and workers in all media organizations should be concluded to provide for stability, safety and security in employment conditions, it said. "Structures of self-regulation and accountability toward the media audience should be strengthened. The media should aim to speak for all of the Philippines communities, rather than cater to narrow constituencies and special interests," it added. — LBG, GMANews.TV