NUJP to UN Rapporteur: Look into repression PH journalists

 

MANILA, Philippines — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has called on the United Nations (UN) rapporteur on free expression to look into the legal proceedings used to repress Filipino media. 

 In a statement on Friday, the NUJP reiterated that libel must be decriminalized, saying that “defamation laws in the Philippines are inconsistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”. 

“We call on UN Special Rapporteur on Free Expression Irene Khan, who is set to visit the country next year, to look into the use of lawfare, including libel and cyber libel, to repress the media,” said the NUJP.

The group also backed NUJP – Baguio Chairperson Frank Cimatu, who faces cyber libel charges filed by former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

The NUJP added that Darcie de Galicia and Noel Alamar of ABS-CBN Teleradyo face 941 counts of cyber libel from Quezon Governor Helen Tan and her husband Ronnel Tan. 

“No one should be punished for expressing his/her opinion, or for publishing reports about legitimate issues,” the NUJP said.

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