IFJ ‘heartened’ by arrest of suspect in journalist slay

THE International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said it was “heartened” by news of the recent arrest of a suspect in the murder of a journalist. The group also called for “more action” from government to stop other violent attacks on media workers.

“We are finally seeing some concrete action by President Gloria Arroyo and her government,” Christopher Warren, IFJ President, said in a statement. “But more needs to be done to send the message loud and clear that journalist murderers will be caught and prosecuted.”

Police last week arrested a man whom investigators have linked to the killing in May of Albert Orsolino, a photojournalist.

IFJ called the arrest, “a small victory in the long struggle towards press freedom and safety for journalists in the Philippines.”

Last week, President Arroyo created the Melo Commission to investigate the killings of journalists and activists in the country. She gave it what the Palace calls “a sweeping mandate to break this cycle of violence once and for all.”

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) counts 28 journalists who have been killed, in the line of duty, under the Arroyo administration. The human-right group, Karapatan, meanwhile, says more than 700 activists have been killed under Mrs. Arroyo’s term.