CEGP: Stop harassing journalists!
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines vehemently condemns the continuous attacks on community journalists.
On January 31, community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio of the Tacloban-based outfit Eastern Vista was harassed by an unidentified person. It was put into account that an unidentified person has been seen scouting the premises of the office in which she worked while carrying a photo of Frenchie Mae Cumpio and a band of flowers. Ever since this event occurred, men have been reported to be scouting the premises of the office.
Under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, things have gotten much worse. The trend of attacks to press freedom disparages the valiant role of the fourth estate in contributing to social justice through the might of its undaunted pen to empower the masses and hold the perpetrators accountable.
These kinds of tactics against members of progressive organizations are not new. As a matter of fact, human rights groups have recorded several cases of state agents sending flowers to members of progressive groups as a form of intimidation and death threats.
The Guild condemns all forms of violations against journalists. We believe that for a healthy democracy to thrive, the press must be free to report nothing but the truth without fear, especially from those who hold power. We call on all campus journalists and media practitioners to be vigilant and unite against all forms of attacks.
#DefendPressFreedom
