BY LEA LUZ AND JESSICA IRENE NIVERO
Contributed to Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 13 May 6- 12, 2007

Candles, black shirts and poems marked this year’s celebration of World Press Freedom Day last May 3.

Initiated by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), journalists and students mourned the rising number of slain journalists. They wore black shirts, lighted candles and read the poems in honor for those who died in the line of duty.

“We lighted candles for our slain colleagues, as we the living, also seek light during this dark period for Philippine media and critical juncture of our nation’s history,” said Rowena Paraan, NUJP secretary-general.

NUJP said that 88 journalists have been killed since 1986, 51 of them during President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration.

The most recent victim, Carmelo Palacios of Radyo ng Bayan (People’s Radio), was murdered in Nueva Ecija last April 18. A day after, gunmen ambushed Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Delfin Mallari Jr. and DZMM correspondent Johnny Glorioso, both founding members of the NUJP in Quezon province.

“We again emphasize that this is the highest toll under any administration, far surpassing that of the 14-year Marcos dictatorship, or the combined death toll of the three preceding administrations combined, making the Philippines the second most dangerous place for journalists after war-torn Iraq,” NUJP said.

The administration has issued the Human Security Act of 2007 which is a “draconian piece of legislation with horrible implications not just for press freedom but for all our basic liberties”. It also issued Memorandum Circular No. 108 and Executive Order No. 608 that restrict access to information. “The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is trying to extend its reach through a memorandum that seeks to control the news and public affairs program,” NUJP added.

Given this situation, 13 representatives from different media institutions delivered their poems for press freedom and justice for their colleagues at the Boy Scout’s Circle on Tomas Morato corner Timog Avenue in Quezon City. (Bulatlat.com)

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