Philippines 3rd most dangerous country for journalists



MANILA: -- The Philippines has retained its unenviable position among the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, Manila Bulletin reported.

According to the 2014 Impunity Index, the continued killing of journalists in the Philippines has pinned the country to its third-place ranking behind Iraq and Somalia, a ranking that it has held for four years.

The Philippines retained its ranking despite last year’s conviction of a gunman who shot broadcast investigative journalist Gerardo Ortega in 2011, which the Impunity Index itself described “a welcome development.”

Issued on April 16 and published by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the newly updated Impunity Index noted that there are 51 unsolved murders of journalists in the Philippines from 2004 to 2013.

The country has held the third worst spot on the Index since 2010 after the November 23, 2009 Maguindanao Massacre, in which 58 people, including 32 journalists and media workers, were killed in a single election-related incident in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province.

In 2009, at least three journalists were gunned down, including freelance photographer Mario Sy, who was shot in front of his wife and daughter following the publication of several photos on drug trafficking.

The most recent fatality was tabloid reporter Robelita “Ruby” Garcia, who was shot inside her home on April 6.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/philippines-3rd-dangerous-country-journalists/


-- Thai PBS 2014-04-18

I can think of a whole list of better professions to take up in Phils.

Thailand is already eying the pool position, if self censorship won’t bring the expected results in the events to come.

The PI ranks right behind...posters who relate corruption and scams on Thaivisa...