Students and campus journalists of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Davao City light candles to protest a recent incident of violation of campus press freedom in their school. Members of the school's official student publication, Collegiate Headlight, accused a professor of harassing members of the staff over an article on the increase of publication fees. (davaotoday.com photo by
Barry Ohaylan)
Accounts from the staff of the publication showed that while the staff meeting was ongoing, they were interrupted by hasty knocks on the door. The professor entered and uttered words of defamation and insult to the editors.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines expresses utmost concern over moves by senators to cite a reporter in contempt for refusing to reveal her sources, have a newspaper investigated and, worst, amend or repeal the law protecting confidential news sources.
(more…)