PCOO exec: Some media outfits Red fronts

MANILA,Philippines — Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy accused some progressive media outfits of being fronts for “terrorist” communists – an allegation an alternative media practitioner denounced as dangerous. 

In a heated discussion with One News’ “The Chiefs” Monday night, Badoy of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said some actions against journalists are warranted, in response to a question about the state of Philippine media under President Duterte.

She cited as among the “warranted” actions against media Malacanang’s ban on Rappler for their coverage of the Navy frigate deal. 

Rappler has since elevated the ban to the Supreme Court for violating the constitutional guarantee of free press and free speech.

Badoy quickly clarified that she did not want to involve the more “principled’ media practitioners.

“He doesn’t hate. He’s not like that, the way I know him,” Badoy said of the President, who had blamed media corruption for the journalist killings in the country. 

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has denounced the President for “justifying” the deaths of journalists.

In the latest Global Impunity Index 2019 by the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Philippines has the most number of unresolved murder cases against journalists for a third time in a row, primarily due to the trial of members of the Ampatuan clan for the Nov. 23, 2009 ambush in Maguindanao that left 58 persons, including 32 journalists, dead.

What could have been a lively discussion on the latest impunity report veered into allegations by Badoy that some media organizations are fronting for communists.

“Badoy’s statement is actually very alarming, to say that the attacks on media are warranted,” said Ronalyn Olea, managing editor of progressive media group Bulatlat.com.

Badoy said she stood by her “unequivocal” statement that some media groups are linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Upon hearing Olea’s comment, Badoy said she did not say what was warranted were “attacks” on media, but hit the NUJP for blaming the government for red-tagging progressive media groups.

“Why would one profession be immune to criticisms? Should you not be held to a certain standard?” Badoy asked.

Olea said redtagging journalists poses a danger to reporters.

“That’s very dangerous. Are you saying that journalists are treated as enemies of the state, just like the previous Arroyo administration?” Olea said.