JOURNALISM IS NOT TERRORISM.
We have witnessed in recent weeks new cases of press freedom violations, and we are grateful for the solidarity shown by colleagues for Bulatlat, Pinoy Weekly and Rappler.
The National Telecommunications Commission memorandum ordering the blocking of the two media outfits’ websites, and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s shutdown order against Rappler are part of the systematic campaign against independent media. These recent incidents aim to drown out the truth on one hand, and to drumbeat disinformation and misinformation on the other hand.
Just recently, the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) once again labeled the NUJP as a communist front. The red-tagging of journalists is a deliberate attempt to discredit, isolate and render the Philippine media irrelevant.
We are not taking all these sitting down. As we always say, an attack on one is an attack on all.
This July 8, Friday, Bulatlat will file a case before the QC Regional Trial Court for the nullification of the NTC memo.
As a show of support, we request media outfits, chapters, and individuals to post the digital banner “Journalism is not terrorism” on your website or social media platforms.
The message also captures our demand to scrap provisions in the Anti-Terror Act (ATA), particularly the section on Inciting to Terrorism, which was cited as justification for listing Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly in the websites for DNS blocking.
#JournalismIsNotTerrorism
#UnblockTheTruth
#LetThePeopleKnow
#DefendPressFreedom
