Intensifying media repression
The Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world for media practitioners. The September 6 murder of broadcaster Juan "Jun" Pala placed the Philippines on the number one slot (along with Colombia) in this year's list of countries with the most number of journalists killed. Pala, formerly one of the country's most active anti-communists and one of the leaders of the paramilitary Alsa Masa, was a changed man and had become a staunch critic of vigilantism before his murder.
The murders bely claims by those who opt to turn a blind eye to the truth, that the Philippines has among the freest mass media in Asia and that it is the continent's most democratic country. The six journalists killed in the country this year is but a handful of the 49 media people killed since 1986. Thirteen of them were slain during the Arroyo regime. They were victims of the military, police, private armies of fascist and corrupt politicians, criminal syndicates and vigilantes.
Up to now, none of these cases has seen justice, proving the reactionary government's utter lack of interest in solving these crimes and eradicating media repression.
In January, Amnesty International (AI) expressed concern about the violation of the rights of journalists in the country. In particular, the AI called on the Arroyo regime to investigate the murders of Benjaline Hernandez, Edgar Damalerio and Sonny Alcantara, and not to harrass the victims' relatives and friends and witnesses willing to help solve these cases.
Media repression has long been an instrument of the ruling reactionary state and system to deny journalists the right to expose and criticize the evils taking place in the country and to deny the people the right to know the truth. The state and the fascists realize that once people become aware of the truth, their next step would be to undertake decisive action to achieve change.
One of the most prominent means of repressing the media is filing libel cases against any reporter or editor who exposes cases of corruption, swindling, violence and other anomalies. Recently, eight members of the media were slapped libel charges by Agriculture Sec. Luis "Cito" Lorenzo, a friend of the owner of Tagum Development Co. (TADECO), for publishing a series of articles in 2000 against the harmful effects of pesticides used by the company. The court had earlier dismissed the case filed by TADECO against the journalists but Lorenzo revived the case this year using his position as agriculture secretary.
A radio station known for criticizing corrupt and repressive officials has also been ordered closed. In February 2002, the Dy dynasty ordered the closure of Bombo Radyo in Cauayan, Isabela because of its constant disclosure of, and objection to, the dynasty's antipeople projects. Even worse was the fate that befell three peasant leaders who were attacked with machetes by elements of the 41st IB on July 1 in Baggao, Cagayan. They had just come from the groundbreaking ceremonies for a community radio station managed by CAGUIMONGAN, a progressive peasant alliance in the province.
The military and police are particularly keen on harassing media people who file reports on statements by enemies of the state to deprive the latter of any opportunity to express their views on important issues. One of the latest cases of harassment occurred when Gloria Arroyo harangued and threatened Channel 7 reporter Tina Panganiban-Perez because she interviewed Sen. Gregorio Honasan who is accused of masterminding the July 27 failed coup d'�tat.
These cases have revealed anew the close surveillance by the police and military of all journalists suspected of having links to enemies of the state. Police Chief Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. himself admitted thus. When media people asserted their right to know who among them were being subjected to surveillance, Ebdane replied, "Ask yourselves, do you have contacts with New People's Army rebels?"
The harassment and murder of journalists are bound to intensify as the ruling system desperately tries to surmount its crisis and preserve itself. The media must confront this militantly and in an organized way.
Because media repression is but a reflection of the reactionary state and system's broader repression of the struggling people, journalists must link their struggle with that of the majority of the people who are being denied their political and economic rights.
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