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THE undersigned journalists, media organizations and advocacy groups unequivocally condemn the government’s blocking of access to the websites of media outlets Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly and of other organizations on the claim that these are “affiliated to and are supporting terrorists and terrorist organizations.”
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., concurrent Director-General of the National Security Council and Vice Chair of the Anti-Terrorism Council, issued the order to the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) on June 6, 2022. The NTC acted on the order on June 18, instructing Internet Service Providers (ISP) to block 28 websites, including these two news media outfits.
No evidence has been offered to prove the government's claim. It is clear that the act to block access to these independent news media websites counters the Constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of the press, speech and free expression and the public’s right to news and information. The order also effectively removes from the public sphere alternative news and views so necessary in a democracy.
Operated by journalists with unquestioned editorial credentials, Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly have been providing news and information for at least two decades — Bulatlat for 21 years and Pinoy Weekly for 20 — giving the necessary space for news and commentary that more often than not fall out of mainstream coverage.
The blocking of these news media websites is an egregious violation not only of press freedom and free expression but also of the citizenry’s fundamental right to information. That right, as enshrined in the Constitution, is best served by a multitude of sources and perspectives that can enable citizens to be aware of and to understand what is going on in Philippine society. Such access enables Filipinos to make informed decisions about issues that affect their lives. Such informed citizens can participate in the process of identifying possible solutions to shared problems confronting the nation.
This most recent attack on freedom and free expression has been part of an escalating pattern of harassment of media organizations and individual journalists. Military and police agencies working against the communist insurgency have routinely “red-tagged” journalists and their organizations, a pernicious practice that exposes those working in the media to physical danger, including threats and attacks to life and livelihood.
We urge the government to rescind the June 6, 2022 order as it violates the Constitution. The Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020 also contains no provision for blocking public access to news and information. The action of the NSC and the NTC can only be understood as prior restraint.
We call on everyone, not just journalists and members of the media, to stand in solidarity with Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly, which, in the many years of their existence and in the best traditions of journalism, have demonstrated their commitment to provide alternative news and views to allow a faithful accounting of the state of the nation.
That these have been done according to the exacting standards journalism should be praised instead of punished.
Signed:
FREEDOM FOR MEDIA, FREEDOM FOR ALL NETWORK
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
Philippine Press Institute
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
MindaNews
As of 07 July 2022, 6:37 p.m.:
Media Organizations:
Altermidya Network
Aninaw Productions
Asia Democracy Chronicles, through Tess Bacalla
Center for Community Journalism and Development, through Red Batario
College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Concerned Artists of the Philippines Bicol Chapter
Davao Today
DLSU-D Broadcast Journalism Program Council
Factual, through Anthony Esguerra
Kodao Productions
Mindanao News Express
Northern Dispatch
NUJP-NCR, through Lourdes Escaros
OneNews.PH, through Katrina Hallare
Philippine Collegian
Philippine Daily Inquirer, through Julie Alipala
Philstar.com, through Franco Luna
Probe, through Jen Aquino
Rappler, through Marites Vitug
Samar Island Press Club – Calbayog City Chapter, through Gina Dean
The UP Community Broadcasters' Society
UPLB Perspective
Women Writers in Media Now
Individuals:
Adelle Chua
Ai Macalintal, PCIJ
Allan Ace Aclan, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa
Alliah Andaleon, Southern Tagalog Exposure
Ann Lordes Lopez
Ara Eugenio
Aubrey Glaiza Delos Reyes, GMA Network
Barnaby Lo
Bea Cupin
Benise Balaoing, ABS-CBN News
Bobby Lagsa, Rappler and NewslinePh
Bong Lacson, Punto! Central Luzon
Bryan Manalang, VERA Files
Camille Diola
Carl Javier, PumaPodcast
Carla Bauto Deña
Carmela Fonbuena, PCIJ
Carmela Nasam, The UP Community Broadcasters' Society
Catalina Ricci Madarang
Charlize Mendez Legaspi
Chi Liquicia
Christian Faith Navarro, PumaPodcast
Christina Quiambao, ABS-CBN News
Ciara Annatu
Cora Lucas, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Cristina Chi, Tinig ng Plaridel
Detsy Uy
DJ Yap, Philippine Daily Inquirer
EC Toledo
Ed Lingao, TV5 and OneNews/ONEPH
Elijah Roderos, VERA Files
Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files
Elmer James Bandol
Ernesto Collo
Esther Chavez
Eunicia Mediodia
Felipe Salvosa II
Gab Humilde Villegas
Gaby Baizas, Rappler
Gerg Cahiles
Giancarlo Morrondoz, UPLB Perspective
Glenn Ford Tolentino
Harold Raymundo, Mabuhay News
Inday Pizon
Iris Gonzales
Ivel Santos
Ivy Marie Silang
Iya Gozum, Rappler
Jaira Roxas, Rappler
Jan Cuyco, Tinig ng Plaridel
Jane Bautista, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Janvic Mateo, Philippine Star/OneNews.ph
Jaymen Ray Amihan
Jee Geronimo, Rappler
Jeline Malasig
Jericho Trio, College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Jerome Sagcal
Jhesset Enano
Jil Danielle Caro
Jimmy Domingo, PonD News Asia
Jo-Ann Maglipon
Joanna Aglibot
Jodesz Gavilan, Rappler
Joel Mataro, PCIJ
John A. Bello, Quezon Chronos
John Cavin Sabonsolin
John Nery, Rappler and ACFJ
John Ray Luciano
Jomar Villanueva
Joseph Bernard Marzan, Daily Guardian
Joshua Ely Empeño
Ka Bino Guerrero
Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala
Karol Ilagan
Kaycee Valmonte
Kenneth Roland Guda
Kevin Angelo Ortiz
Kim Bernard Fajardo, Department of Broadcast Communication – PUP
Kristine Bersamina, Philstar.com
Krixia Subingsubing
Leilani Chavez
Leonardo Vicente “Cong” Corrales, Mindanao Gold Star Daily
Lian Buan, Rappler
Lita Jane B. Cadalig, Baguio Midland Courier
Luigi Almuena, PCIJ
Ma. Diosa Labiste, Department of Journalism, UP College of Mass Communication
Manny Mogato
Mara Cepeda, Rappler
Mariejo Ramos, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Mark Famatigan, Yahoo News Philippines
Mark Lester Ponce, The Negros News
Mark Vincent Tolibao, CvSU Journalism Guild
Martha Teodoro
Meeko Angela Camba, VERA Files
Melvin Gascon
Michael “Mitch” Santos
Michael Navarro, MNETV
Michelle Zoleta, Philippine Star Quezon Province
Mon Karlo Mangaran
Nestor Burgos, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Nick Garcia
Nina Torralba, PumaPodcast
Nini Cabaero
Patricia Aquino, PumaPodcast
Patricia Lourdes Viray
Paul Nicholas Soriano
Pearl Aguilar, PCIJ
Pia Regalado
Prinz Magtulis
Raffy Tima
Rambo Talabong
Redmond Jae Tobias Flores
Rey Garcia, The Mindanao Observer
Reynier Cuenca Tasico
Ricky Bautista, NUJP
Robert Jacob Lazaro
Robert Jaworski Abano, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Roby Alampay
Rochel Ellen Bernido, Rappler
Roel Hoang Manipon, Daily Tribune
Romma Lyn Mendoza
Rommel Lopez, PressOne.ph
Rosette Adel
Roy Narra, One News/One PH
Roy Stephen Canivel, PDI
Russel Ku, Rappler
Samantha Nicole Agura
Sharra Elep, PCIJ
Shawn Yao, ONE News
Sofia Virtudes
Sonny Fernandez
Taher Solaiman
Therese Torres, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication/IAWRT Philippines
Tirso Paglicawan
Vincent Cabreza
Voltaire Tupaz, FYT Media
Wilmor Pacay III
Xave Gregorio
Yanie Elizan
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