ADVERTISEMENT
In a decision dated Sept. 17, Judge Corpuz Alzate of Bangued Regional Trial Court Branch 2 said that the "state had no evidence to present" against Sherwin De Vera.
Undoubtedly, the mosquito press played a crucial role in informing the citizenry, which helped propel the movement to oust the late dictator.
“The impunity with which journalists continue to be attacked and killed is the same impunity that drives the continued killings in the government’s war on drugs and the continued assassination of activists and human rights defenders.”
“Today, we renew our commitment to defend press freedom by serving the people's right to know. Let our vow be: A free press for free people.”
“Journalism is not a crime. Instead of targeting the messengers, the authorities should instead be investigating and dealing with the real perpetrators of violence, corruption and rights abuses.”
“The closure of ABS-CBN's regional stations also deprives millions upon millions of Filipinos throughout the country of a major source of credible news and information even as the national struggles against the pandemic.”
“This is why we will not remain silent, and will continue to say the truth. We will use our pens and microphones to let our audience hear the plight of the ordinary citizens, as well as all the programs and projects of the government."
“Our progressive congressmen can draft the most privileged bills, but without the people’s support outside they will have a hard time convincing the people inside the Congress.”
Under the Duterte administration, attacks on alternative media have been persistent. Altermidya documented one case of frustrated murder, eight cases of arrest and detention, 28 cases of threat and intimidation, which include surveillance, two cases of physical injuries, and six cases of cyber-attacks against its member-media outfits.
“Never since the late unlamented Marcos dictatorship has a president ever deigned to shut down the independent media and stifle criticism and dissent.”
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said that the raid is just ‘a preview’ of future abuses that can be done under the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020.
"Ma, hanggang August 31 na lang po ako sa ABS-CBN."
Even if this sounds nebulous, journalistic outputs are inherently biased for the truth. Journalists are therefore expected to use as sources of information the experts (i.e., truth-tellers) instead of “fake news” peddlers.
"It is clear as day that ABS-CBN is being punished for reporting and commenting on issues in a manner unacceptable to the Duterte administration."
“To our congressmen, please vote for ABS-CBN. Please vote yes for our families. I hope you will heed our calls.”
"At 'yun ang sinasabi ko palaging dapat panghawakan 'yung aral ng kasaysayan. Dumaan na tayo dito at tayo'y nagwagi. Wala akong dahilan para maniwalang hindi natin mauulit 'yan. Lakas ng tao 'yan, lakas ng bayan 'yan. Lakas ng sambayanan."
“It is clear that the goal of this administration is not only to shut down ABS-CBN but to send a message throughout the media industry.”
A community of readers and supporters that help us sustain our operations through microdonations for as low as $1.
Save as PDF