The killings of journalists have long been the focus of attention of international media groups. But instead of responding positively, this regime has done nothing but deny, deny, deny the fact that the Philippines is the second-most dangerous country in the world for journalists, next to Iraq.
A bit of good news today: the US Senate has put more pressure on the Arroyo regime regarding the killings of journalists. In an inquiry, U.S. senators expressed their concern about the deteriorating press-freedom situation in the Philippines.
Democracy depends on the free flow of information to the public, which depends on a press free to do its work without government intimidation, said Richard Lugar, the chairman of the foreign-relations committee, as quoted by the Inquirer.
Of course, this issue has long been the focus of attention of international media groups. But instead of responding positively, this regime has done nothing but deny, deny, deny the fact that the Philippines is the second-most dangerous country in the world for journalists, next to Iraq. Malacanang and the police likewise have been trying to fool the public by consistently mouthing the ridiculous line that most of these killings (77 since 1986, according to the NUJP) have been solved. The sole basis for this lie is the claim by the police that many of the killers had been identified.
The question now is, will this regime respond accordingly to the US pressure? Will it sack Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez so that real justice will finally happen? Will it sack the useless Task Force Newsman, which has served mainly as the polices propaganda tool, to give the impression that it is doing something to solve the killings?
Based on the governments reported plan to appeal PP 1017, the edict that the regime used to justify raids of newspaper offices, among other violations of basic rights, and which the Supreme Court struck down recently as partly illegal, I doubt if President Arroyo will even lift a finger.
Heck, the US and the other countries have long ago condemned the killings here not only of journalists but also of political activists and union leaders. But these condemnations apparently did not have any impact at all, because the killings continued. (By the way, most of the murders of journalists since 1986 occurred since 2001, the year Arroyo took power.)
This week, an international delegation of trade union and human rights groups visited different parts of the country to look into the killings and harassments of unionists and workers. The result of their mission will undoubtedly give more international attention to the horrible human rights condition in the Philippines.
These pressures may not produce results overnight, of course. The best these can do is increase the isolation of this regime internationally. They likewise expose Arroyos hypocrisy.
As for the U.S. Senate, it should put its money where its mouth is. It should listen to the suggestion by Dana Robert Dillon of The Heritage Foundation, who, in an op-ed piece last month about the killings of journalists and what the U.S. can do, wrote that Congress and President Bush should review the security assistance provided to the Philippines and ensure that accountability procedures are followed and American-provided equipment and aid is used properly.
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The Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists says, in a report in the Inquirer, that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo does not understand the medias role. Clearly, the group said, referring to the killings of journalists and the attempts by the administration to muzzle critical media outlets, the actions of President Arroyo reflect her failure to understand and appreciate press freedom as a core value of Philippine society.
Of course she doesnt understand the press. She never did. Shes had nothing but contempt for journalists. It is reflected in the way she deals with them. How many times has she cut down a reporter, insulting him, for asking what she thought were stupid questions? She doesnt even pretend to like reporters or to finesse them, as her predecessors did.
Which is why, I think, the best way to treat this president, if youre a journalist, is to respond in kind. Which is why it baffles me that most of the Philippine press still remains deferential toward her, even though shes shown utter dislike for journalists. And Im not just talking about being snooty I am also talking about her and her mens actions that tend to suppress, intimidate and harass the media.
As they say, you behave like a dog, shell treat you like a dog.
On second thought, maybe Arroyo does understand Filipino journalists. Maybe thats why shes treating them the way she does.
(Carlos H. Conde is the editor of Davao Today. He also writes for the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune. For more of his commentaries, visit his blogs at www.promdi.net and www.pinoypress.net. He can be reached at chconde@gmail.com)
