16 June 2005

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), representing over 500 000 journalists worldwide, joins the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in condemning moves by the Arroyo administration to restrict media freedom.

In the latest move to gag the media, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has threatened to revoke broadcast media licences of organisations that continue to air alleged wiretapped conversations between President Gloria Arroyo and Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

If the taped conversations, referring to an alleged plan to manipulate the May 2004 elections, are found to be fraudulent the broadcaster's licence will be revoked or suspended, the NTC has warned.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales has also threatened to arrest journalists, without a warrant, who continue to broadcast or distribute the recordings.

'Threatening journalists and media organisations is an unacceptable practice in a democracy; the Philippines administration needs to be more transparent in its dealings with election officials', said IFJ President Christopher Warren.

This episode follows several restrictions placed on the Philippines press this year. Previously, the military imposed 'prior restraint' on 'all public affairs programs, news documentaries and socio-political editorials'.

The military intelligence service also released a 'Know your Enemy' presentation, tagging media organisations as 'enemies of the state'.

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