‘Stop intimidating journalists’
— Asian Journalists Association

THE Seoul-based Asian Journalists Association (AJA) has issued a statement declaring “our solidarity with our fellow media practitioners in the Philippines” in the struggle to uphold democracy and press freedom.

An Asian-wide fraternity of media practitioners serving as a voice for their common aspirations, values and viewpoints, AJA is calling on the Philippine authorities to “stop intimidating journalists and media organizations.”

Below is the statement signed by AJA President Lee Sang-ki of the Journalists Association of Korea (JAK); and AJA vice presidents Ivan Lim of Singapore, a former president of the Confederation of Asean Journalists (CAJ), and Kang Seok-jae of JAK.

Statement by the Asian Journalists Association

At a time of popular unrest, the Arroyo Administration has found it fit to go against its democratic grain by encroaching upon the time-honoured sanctity of the free Press for which the Philippines has long been lauded in Asia.

The police raids on a newspaper office and a printing press for alleged unexplained offences; and warnings to the media against violating of “standards” were clearly attempts to stifle free expression guaranteed under the Philippine Constitution.

The Asian Journalists Association (AJA) joins the National Press Club and the Philippine Press Institute in calling upon the authorities to stop intimidating journalists and the media organizations.

We urge President Gloria Arroyo Macapagal to respect the professional right and duty of our fellows journalist to report political events without fear or favour.

In declaring our solidarity with our fellow media practitioners in the Philippines, we are confident that they would stay the course in defence of their rights and continue to play their part in upholding the nation’s democracy and freedom as enshrined in the Constitution.

Signed:

Lee Sang-ki
President, Asian Journalists Association
Ivan Lim and Kang Seok-jae
Vice-Presidents

AJA counts the following journalists’ organizations as members:

• Journalists Association of Korea
• All-China Journalists Association
• Philippine Press Institute
• National Union of Journalists, Malaysia
• Environmental Forum for Communicators of Singapore
• Confederation of Thai Journalists
• Vietnam Journalists Association
• Club of Cambodian Journalists
• Mongolian Journalists Association
• Taiwan Journalists Association
• Russian Journalists Association

The Society of Professional Journalists (USA), which sent delegates to the groups’ launch at the Asia Journalists Forum in Korea in 2005, has sought associate status with AJA. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has also expressed willingness to work closely with AJA.