Press Freedom

Press Freedom: The Slide Backwards
Across 11 Nations of Southeast Asia

POLITICAL FREEDOM and civil liberties are in a downward spiral globally. Democracy is not only in retreat, but is under assault in Southeast Asia.State-sponsored threats and attacks, internet being weaponized with toxic discourse and false narratives, hate speech and identity politics have favored patrons, caused deep divisions, and targeted vulnerable sectors.In 2018, most of the […]

The President and the Press:
A Timeline of Hostilities Against the Media

BY ALL indications, President Rodrigo R. Duterte has no love lost for independent and critical media.In about two dozen times in his 34 months in office, he has openly expressed his displeasure and disaffection, and in rancorous prose called journalists names and foisted threats both veiled and naked against certain media agencies.In his own words, […]

The State of Philippine Media, under Duterte

IN the last 34 months under President Rodrigo R. Duterte, cases and incidents of attacks and threats on the Philippine media continue relentlessly, with hardly any major efforts at investigation or solution by responsible state agencies.To mark World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday, May 3, the “Freedom for Media, Freedom for All Network” released its […]

Just the Facts: Foreign Funding Isn’t the Problem

Bobi Tiglao used to understand that. And used to think it was a good thing.A long time ago, when we were young and foolish, Malou Mangahas and I were booted out of The Manila Chronicle for standing up for Bobi Tiglao.We had wanted Bobi to succeed Amando Doronila as editor of the newspaper. We thought […]

PCIJ ukol sa ‘Oust-Duterte plot’:
Maraming puntos na mali sa ulat

Pahayag ng PCIJ ukol sa “Oust-Duterte plot” na ulat ng Manila Times,  22 April 2019ANG “association matrix” at ulat ng Manila Times ukol sa mga journalist, kasama ang mga taga-PCIJ, na di-umano’y sangkot sa “oust-Duterte” plot, ay mali sa maraming dahilan: Wala ni isa mang email na natanggap ang PCIJ mula kay Ms Ellen Tordesillas ukol […]

Duterte, Sara, Paolo mark big spikes
in wealth, cash, while in public office

By Floreen Simon and Malou Mangahas IN THE May 2019 elections, not just two but all three children of President Rodrigo R. Duterte by estranged spouse Elizabeth A. Zimmerman are running. But unlike those of many other candidates, their clan coffers won’t be running empty. In fact, these are probably going to end up largely […]

Gov’t, media can’t play fast, loose
with due process and rule of law

Statement of Journalists and Media Organizations on the Duterte Administration’s List of Alleged “Narco Politicians”  WE, JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS, express grave concern about the likely breach of professional ethics and adverse legal implications of the publication and broadcast of the Duterte Administration’s list of public officials allegedly involved in the illegal-drugs trade.The list reportedly enrolls […]

Voters, winners, regions, towns, cities:
Data, stats on PH elections since 2004

WHO have run for senator and won in the last five elections since 2004?As of the May 2016 elections, how many of the registered voters actually voted, and in which provinces, towns, and cities of the country? How many are women, how many men? How big, how small, are our voters, by age group? How […]

Money and the May 2019 Elections

PCIJ Audit: Candidates on Social Media

A “PROMOTIONAL TOUCHPOINT.” That, in advertising and PR parlance, is what social media apparently looks like to candidates for senator in the May 2019 elections, and they have been using it as such even ahead of the official 90-day campaign period, which started last Tuesday.Because the use — and even abuse — of social media […]

Money and the May 2019 Elections

Candidates, beware: Law bans
bribery, cash gifts, donations

UNDER ELECTION laws, they were not yet officially considered to be candidates, and therefore not yet incurring campaign expenditures, until after the official campaign period had started.But under anti-graft and anti-corruption laws, several candidates in the May 2019 elections may be unable to escape legal liability for incurring millions of pesos of pre-campaign ads.Indeed, incumbents, […]

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