Solon pushes for swift passage of journalist protection act

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker on Wednesday called on his colleagues to pass his proposed bill on protection of journalists.

Deputy Minority Leader and Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque is hopeful that the House Committee on Public Information will swiftly endorse his authored bill, House Bill No. 913 or the Journalist Protection, Security, and Benefit Act, to the plenary.

“A free press is a sign of a healthy and vibrant democracy. There is therefore a very urgent need to protect journalists and let them perform their jobs without fear of harassment,” Roque said.

Roque cited the growing number of journalists being harassed for “simply doing their jobs.” 

The bill defines a journalist as “one who regularly imparts information to the general public, regardless of whether he or she receives compensation for rendering such service.”

“Journalists nowadays are being targeted by partisan groups and individuals for the mere reporting of news,” Roque said.

“The latest case of harassment I read about was the journalist who was sent threatening messages because she reported about the non-existent bank accounts of a senator,” he added, referring to GMA News’ Jam Sisante who recently covered Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in Singapore.

The proposed measure wants the DOJ to formulate and implement a protection, security and program for journalists in consultation with existing media groups such as the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the National Press Club and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.

Roque said those who have reasonable grounds to believe a threat exists to his or her life or security could be admitted to the program.

Under the protection program, journalists facing threats will be given a secure housing facility until the threat, intimidation, or harassment disappears or is reduced to a manageable or tolerable level.

HB 913 also allows a protected journalist to relocate or change their identity and be provided with security detail by the Philippine National Police or other law enforcement agencies if the circumstances call for it. The affected journalist and his family will likewise be entitled to financial assistance.

Journalists under the program will also be provided free medical treatment for any injury or illness sustained. On the other hand, if the protected journalist is killed despite enrollment in the program, the heirs shall be entitled to a minimum of P500,000 burial benefit.

The children left by the deceased journalist would be entitled to free education from primary to college level in any state or private school, college or university.

Roque said the threat and harassment to journalists are a personal issue to him since his wife is also a former journalist.

“I have long been an advocate of the freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” Roque said.

'Philippines dangerous for media personnel'

In August 2017, The Reporters Sans Frontieres or Reporters Without Borders expressed worry over the recent spate of media killings in the country.

The RSF considers the Philippines as the world’s second most dangerous country for media personnel and ranked it 127th out of 180 countries in the 2017 World Press Freedom Index.  

Prior to his presidency, Duterte claimed some journalists sought their deaths because of engaging in corruption. He also dared the members of the press to boycott him.

Despite this, the Duterte government created the presidential task force on violations to the media’s right to life, liberty and security. This is the first administrative order of Duterte. —Rosette Adel