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IFJ, NUJP push gov’t to probe Newsbreak editor harassment

BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 4) — International and country-based journalist groups urged the Philippine government to pursue an investigation on the recent harassment incident to Newsbreak magazine’s Managing Editor Glenda Gloria, who was sent a funeral wreath on August 3.

“Considering the terrible record of ruthless and deadly attacks against journalists in the Philippines, the government must recognise the seriousness of death threats against journalists and investigate these incidents,” said International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) President Christopher Warren.

Warren again cited the Philippines for its tag as “one of the most dangerous and threatening countries for journalists” with six journalists killed this year.

The IFJ official said that the government must not ignore these threats or “it will be sending these criminals a message of impunity”.

IFJ’s Philippine affiliate, the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) also warned that “the enemies of press freedom in this country are still at it, trying to instil fear in the hearts of journalists.”

Inday Espina-Varona, NUJP chair and Jose Torres Jr., chair of NUJP’s Commission for the Protection of Journalists both demand to the Philippine government “to bring those behind (Gloria’s death threat) to justice.”

The NUJP is pressing authorities to solve the numerous cases of death threats received by many other journalists, including murders.

Already, 70 Filipino journalists have been killed in the country since the so-called “democratization” of the Philippines after former Strongman Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in 1986. # Ace Alegre for NORDIS

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