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"There has yet to be a conclusive investigation on this matter of great public interest where the freedom of expression and of the press are at stake. If and when it is proven that government resources are being used to fund these cyberattacks, accountability and justice must be exacted," the resolution read.
In a statement, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television - Philippines said this is a vindication for Filipino journalists who have been targeted under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Bulatlat looks back on the cyberattacks launched against independent media in the Philippines.
The Computer Professionals' Union (CPU) said that what Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesman Ramon Zagala described as "mere surfing" is more “like a targeted attempt to significantly disrupt a crucial platform and curtail freedom of the press.”
We condemn the Philippine Army for carrying out cyber crimes against independent media outfits. We take offense at the duplicity they have shown regarding this incident – publicly professing respect for press freedom but launching vicious digital attacks, and never cooperating with other government agencies.
“There is no excuse for the State to commit any form of human rights violation against any of its citizens, including Human Rights Defenders. Thus, the red-tagging of Northern Dispatch as a creation of the CPP and its personnel as communist front personalities constitutes human rights violations.”
Journalists and supporters also published via Twitter the names of legislators who rejected ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, urging voters to boycott the said politicians next year.
“Yes, we may be small and insignificant against their boastful might, but when we band together and speak up, we shall prevail!”
More than 300 journalists and 40 news organizations signed the pledge to show their commitment to fact-based election coverage and monitor election campaigns to ensure the integrity of the elections in 2022.
A year since lawmakers killed the franchise of the biggest television network in the country, a group of Filipino journalists said the Duterte administration cannot wash its hands over what is deemed as an assault on free press and abuse of power.
"Like many journalists, he was materially poor. But in his devotion to the profession and our people he was, as Danny Fabella sang, hindi pangkaraniwang tao."
"The pen-testing on Qurium's website proves that the cyberattackers are undaunted, bolstering our belief that such actions are state-sanctioned and part of the systematic efforts in silencing and intimidating the Philippine media.”
According to Paris-based media watchdog, Duterte has used several weapons to wage “total war” against independent media.
Alternative online news Bulatlat is disappointed as the Department of Science and Technology chose not to divulge the government agency that runs the IP address where cyber-attacks against news websites have been traced.
“As lawmakers, it is our duty to ensure that public funds are used judiciously for the benefit of the people, and not used to violate their civil and political rights enshrined in our Constitution.”
Rebecca Padilla-Marquez, coordinator of the Communication Department, said the two awardees “are women that our youth can learn from.”
“We continue on, but we will never forget.”
In the Philippines, journalists are being attacked while perpetrators of extrajudicial killings go free, laments journalist and recently freed political detainee Lady Ann Salem.
"But even if we mark World Press Freedom Day with many reasons to be fearful, we mark it also with hope, knowing that there are many of us still working each day to gather facts and shine a little light on what is happening in the country and on what isn't."
“Media freedom is not an isolated element,” Bangladeshi lawyer Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, said. “Freedom of expression has to be seen in the context of freedom of association and freedom of assembly. Civil society and media freedom are absolutely integrated.”
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