On World Press Freedom day, PH media issue a statement on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020

I am one of the 78 individuals who signed the collective statement against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 . Also, 17 media organizations signed the Philippine Media Statement on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. Here is the statement.

The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on petitions against the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020. We, editors and reporters of news organizations around the Philippines, join the voices of various sectors opposing provisions of the law that trample upon fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of the press.

Section 9 of the ATA proscribes speech, proclamations, writings, emblems, and banners that fall under the new crime of “inciting to terrorism,” imposing a penalty of 12 years in prison. As the law fails to provide a clear definition of terrorism and is vague about what constitutes acts of terrorism, Section 9 could make media practitioners vulnerable to wrongful charges and arrests, producing a chilling effect on all media practice.

Government’s assurance that protection clauses are in place fly in the face of the experience of news organizations and journalists who have been red-tagged and branded as “terrorists” by government and security officials. With the government’s anti-insurgency campaign causing a rise in killings of activists, we fear for the safety of our colleagues.

We call on the government to uphold the freedom of the press. We demand that the rights and safety of journalists and media houses be respected and protected at all times. Many of us have seen how efforts to go after “enemies of the people” have led to zealous securitization of the government’s response to the problems of the country.

The ATA will not succeed in reducing the threat of terrorism with over-reaching prohibitions on expressive as well as political freedoms. It will reduce this country to a field of submissive and unquestioning individuals, to be herded like sheep by the police and the military. We reject the Anti-Terrorism Act!

Signed

Media Organizations

1. Tess Bacalla for Asia Democracy Chronicles

2. Felix Espinida Jr. for BicolExpress.Net

3. Len Olea for Bulatlat

4. Red Batario for the Center for Community Journalism and Development

5. Melinda De Jesus for Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility

6. Francis Allan Angelo for the Daily Guardian

7. Herbie Gomez for the Gold Star Daily

8. Carolyn Arguillas for Mindanews

9. Jonathan de Santos for the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)

10. Carmela Fonbuena for the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)

11. Ariel Sebellino for the Philippine Press Institute (PPI)

12. Ezra Acayan for the Photojournalist’s Center of the Philippines (PCP)

13. Glenda Gloria for Rappler

14. Bobby Labalan for Sorsogon Organization of News Writers, Announcers and Reporters (SONAR) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines-Sorsogon

15. Lucia Tangi for the U.P. Department of Journalism

16. Ellen Tordesillas for VERA Files

17. Sol Juvida for Women Writers in Media

In their individual capacities:

1. Michelle Abad, Rappler

2. Patricia Aquino, Pumapodcast

3. Ana Corina Arceo, Rappler

4. Jez Aznar

5. Samantha Bagayas, Rappler

6. Bernice Beltran, PCP

7. Jairo Bolledo, Rappler

8. Lian Buan, Rappler

9. Kaye Cabal, Rappler

10. Gaea Katreena Cabico

11. Amalia Cabusao, PPI

12. Gerg Cahiles

13. Gerard Carreon, PCP

14. Mara Cepeda, Rappler

15. Adelle ChuaIan Nicolas Cigaral

16. Alec Corpuz, PCP

17. Cong B. Corrales, Mindanao Gold Star Daily

18. Bea Cupin, Rappler

19. Noemi Lardizabal Dado

20. Camille Diola

21. Jimmy Domingo, PCP

22. Camille Elemia, Rappler

23. Maria Elena Catajan

24. Paterno Esmaquel, Rappler

25. Marchel Espina

26. Nonoy Espina, NUJP

27. Sharlene Festin, PCP

28. Chay Hofileña, Rappler

29. Karol Ilagan, PCIJ

30. Jodesz Gavilan, Rappler

31. Miriam Grace Go, Rappler

32. Xave Gregorio

33. Kenneth Roland Guda, PCIJ

34. Jules Guiang, Rappler

35. Carljoe Javier, Pumapodcast

36. LeAnne Jazul, Rappler

37. Jee Jeronimo, Rappler

38. Victor D. Kintanar, PCP

39. Dwight De Leon, Rappler

40. Marguerite de Leon, Rappler

41. Raffy Lerma, PCP

42. Ed Lingao

43. Barnaby Lo

44. Franco Luna

45. Pauline Macaraeg, Rappler

46. Bonz Magsambol, Rappler

47. Prinz Magtulis

48. Julius Mariveles, Digital News Exchange

49. Bullit Marquez

50. Manny Mogato

51. John Nery, columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer

52. Bella Perez-Rubio

53. Chris Quintana, PCP

54. Pia Ranada, Rappler

55. James Relativo

56. Maria Ressa Rappler

57. Jojo Riñoza, PCP

58. Rick Rocamora, PCP

59. Chery Salazar, PCIJ

60. Mark Z. Saludes, PCP

61. David Santos

62. Basilio Sepe, PCP

63. Fernando Sepe Jr., PCP

64. Raisa Marielle Serafica, Rappler

65. Floreen Simon, PCIJ

66. Rambo Talabong, Rappler

67. Maria Tan, PCP

68. Cristina Gratia Tantengco, Pumapodcast

69. Raffy Tima

70. Sofia Tomacruz, Rappler

71. Bernadette Uy, PCP

72. Inday Espina Varona

73. Chito dela Vega, Rappler

74. Daniel Vicedo, PCP

75. Pau Villanueva, PCP

76. Patricia Lourdes Viray

77. Sofia Virtudes, Rappler

78. Marites Vitug, Rappler