PH Journos face threats, harassments

Journalists worldwide, including those in the Philippines, continuously face harassment and threats for simply telling the truth. In the Philippines, many journalists are dealing with libel charges primarily filed by politicians and millionaires who are critical of their reporting. This practice is an outright act of silencing not just individuals but also democracy itself.

Despite of being protected by laws enshrined by the constitution itself, many of media workers are still facing threats, harassments, cyber attacks and worst they became victim of impunity in this country.

On the recent note, Jesus “Jess” Malabanan, a part of Pulitzer prize winning team that covers the bloody war of Duterte’s regime against drug personalities, was shot dead by unknown assailants and up until now justice isn’t served yet.

On the other hand, Raissa Robles, journalist from Rappler, was verbally abused by a Lawyer Larry Gadon after the journalist tagged Bongbong Marcos Jr. a tax evader – a fact-based report given that Marcos was convicted in 1990’s. The video circulated Online and later reached the Supreme Court. Gadon faced a preventive suspension ordered by the Supreme Court and a show cause order to avoid disbarment.

But why should Journalists face a life-threatening situation and violence when they simply report truth for the sake of democracy? One thing is for sure, our state and government fear journalists so much that they do not even respect international laws that protects journalists from facing charges.

Politicians and millionaires will do everything that they can to sue journalists that reveals truth against them. They don’t want their names to be tainted by issues but they, themselves, are the one that makes it. As journalists, it is our prime duties to expose truths even if we are against giant individuals and Politicians.

Always dare to struggle for the sake of journalism and democracy.

According to ifex.org, impunity means that their actions have no consequences. Threats, attacks and murders all go unpunished. Aside from that, when it comes to crimes against freedom of expression globally, the problem of impunity is inescapable. In the past 11 years, more than 900 journalists and media workers have been killed for their work. In 9 out of 10 cases these crimes remain uninvestigated and unpunished.

Apart from that, in the context of the Philippines, the culture of impunity has become pervasive since President Rodrigo Duterte takes the office. Widespread Extra Judicial Killings among ordinary citizens have been logged in the past half decade that is rooted in his war on drugs but has never solved the root causes of poverty and crime in our country.

Over and above, politicians, activists, and journalists has become vulnerable in these kinds of attacks. From 2016 up to present time 22 journalists have shed blood due to continuous attacks on their line. The recent victim of Extra Judicial Killing and impunity was Jesus “Jess” Malabanan, a part of Pulitzer prize winning team that covers the bloody war of Duterte’s regime against drug Narcos’. He was shot dead like other victims by unknow assailants which up to this date is nowhere to be found – a perfect description of what impunity is.

Killings like these have gained clamor from human rights groups and even lawmakers. This a blatant act of human right abuses since behind these attacks are politically motivated. Since 2016 under the tyrannical rule of Duterte, killings and culture of impunity has embedded fear and chilling effects towards journalists. From killings and closure of ABS-CBN until the continuous threats and cyber attacks to media sector are the prime factors why journalists are toning down their reports.

However, as a mandate of their job and responsibility to the Filipino people to bring fearless and critical news many journalists are still braving these forms of attacks. No matter what the consequences are, they have stood up for the sake of democracy and true journalism.

Could you imagine if journalism and journalists let the culture of impunity to scare and shut them down? There will be no vanguards of truth and teller of reality. Journalists should be in the forefront of this battle to let the public know what is really happening around us – especially the political climate against a certain regime.