Philippine journalists continue to face harassment — US State Department report

This Feb. 7, 2021 photo shows a banner calling for the release of Tacloban City broadcaster Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who was among those arrested in Feb. 7, 2020 in a series of raids on what authorities said were safe houses for communist rebels.

Philstar.com / James Relativo, file

MANILA, Philippines — Threats and harassment against journalists in the Philippines continue as President Rodrigo Duterte's tirades against the media send a chilling effect, according to a report by the US Department of State.

The report, however, said that Philippine media remained generally free to voice their criticism of the government. 

The US Department of State's 2021 Country Report on Human Rights Practices listed down several incidents of violence and harrassment against members of the national and local media:

• Duterte's verbal attacks against female journalists, especially online news outlet Rappler CEO Maria Ressa 
• The unlawful arrest of Manila Today editor Lady Ann Salem and six others in December 2020 for reportedly illegal possession of firearms. The charges against Salem and others have since been dismissed.
• The remarks of retired general Antonio Parlade, Jr. in February 2021 against Inquirer.net journalist Tetch Torres-Tupas over a story on Aeta farmers charged with alleged violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act and filing a petition against the controversial law
• The shooting of radio commentator Renante Cortes outside his station in Cebu in July 2021, which the police said was likely because he produced hard-hitting commentaries

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/13/2174334/philippine-journalists-continue-face-harassment-us-state-department-report