THE RISK FACTOR of working as a journalist in the Philippines has gone from bad to worse following the conviction of a community journo over unsubstantiated allegations.
For one, the Philippines is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous and worst places in the world to be a journalist amid rising number of unsolved killings and a pervasive “culture of impunity.”
The risk level is far worse in areas outside the national capital region. Local journalists reporting on local corruption and crime are usually corrupted to mellow down reports. Defiance translates to physical harm, death or harassment, at the very least.
“More often than not, hard-hitting press and critical journos face strategic lawsuits, particularly libel cases, which can be filed in far-flung locations to harass and financially burden them. They also endure organized online harassment and ‘red-tagging’ from political supporters and government officials, creating a chilling effect and forcing widespread self-censorship.”
JOURNO AS FINANCIER?
Fortunately, community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, known in the Eastern Visayas region for her critical style in reporting human rights abuses, didn’t end up in a body bag.
She however was detained in the last six years for a string of criminal cases in relation to the Anti-Terror Law. According to the military, she helped finance the communist rebels in guerilla warfare.
First point I wish to convey to the military and the court which found Cumpio guilty — being a journalist in the Philippines doesn’t pay much. Where would Frenchie Mae get the money to keep the NPA operations afloat?
Secondly, was she convicted for the charge of terrorism financing without a court hearing?
Based on my research, the basis for which Cumpio, and human rights worker Marielle Domequil were convicted by Tacloban Regional Trial Court Judge Georgina Perez, are the testimonies of four alleged rebel returnees who said they saw Cumpio, and Domequil hand over P100,000 in cash to help cover the needs of the NPA.
No money trail. Just words from four “rebel returnees” and a court order sending both to jail for a maximum of 18 years.
REPRESSION BY THE STATE
Cumpio is just one of the many Filipino journalists who have been subjected to state-sponsored repression which comes in many forms.
Studies conducted by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), showed a list of media occupational risks.
Physical violence is one. More than 200 journalists have been killed since democracy was restored in 1986. The 2009 Maguindanao massacre, which killed 34 media workers, remains one of the deadliest single events for the press in history. While the number of killings has fluctuated in recent years, the threat of violence remains significant.
CULTURE OF IMPUNITY
Next on their list is the culture of impunity: The primary issue is the lack of accountability; the vast majority of journalist murders remain unsolved, and their killers are rarely convicted. This official apathy, or even hostility, emboldens those who want to silence the press.
Journalists outside Metro Manila are particularly vulnerable, often facing more brutal forms of intimidation than those in the capital who work for larger media organizations.
More often than not, hard-hitting press and critical journos face strategic lawsuits, particularly libel cases, which can be filed in far-flung locations to harass and financially burden them. They also endure organized online harassment and “red-tagging” from political supporters and government officials, creating a chilling effect and forcing widespread self-censorship.
Last but certainly not the least is the poor working condition of journalists in the Philippines. Correspondents are rarely paid — a condition that makes journalists vulnerable to pressure and corrupt practices.