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“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.”
“Our call to drop all charges against Frenchie Mae and to immediately release her is now more urgent than ever.”
The recent conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former reporter-researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. brought to the fore cyber libel as a weapon against journalists.
The issue here goes beyond Rappler as other dominant and alternative news media organizations are also under attack. Ressa only becomes a convenient target because of her high profile. That's what she has in common with ABS-CBN which is a leading network. The chilling effect becomes clear by targeting both of them.
Various groups assailed today yet another attack against press freedom in the country, with a Manila court handing down a guilty verdict against Rappler’s CEO Maria Ressa and their former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr.
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