Altermidya and the NUJP said Presidential Task Force on Media Security executive director Paulino Gutierrez’s attack against journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio also proves the absurdity of his agency’s continued existence.
This is exactly what we mean by red-tagging: a senior government official linking civilians to alleged communist groups without proof. May we remind Mr. Gutierrez that Ms. Cumpio is contesting the charges filed against her in court and has yet to be convicted. There is absolutely no point for anyone, more so a high government official, to forget that “everyone is innocent until proven in a court of law.”
We must therefore never forget that contradiction in fighting back for freedom of expression today. Freedom of expression is not a privilege of those in power, but a weapon of the oppressed to safeguard against the abuse of power—whether economic, political, and social.
“We will continue to report, and we will continue to insist on being free.”
Fourteen of the 47 cases involved women journalists, many of whom were subjected to harassment, death threats, and red-tagging. Two are facing charges of libel and cyber-libel, as well as other forms of judicial harassment filed against them by government officials.
By DEE AYROSO
Journalists and progressive lawmakers have reiterated their demand for the dropping of charges against community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and four other human rights defenders based in Tacloban City.
By MAX SANTIAGO
Detained Tacloban-based community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio celebrated her 24th birthday today with two court hearings over trumped-up cases filed against her.
“This project is being launched to the public in light of events that have been plaguing the country’s news industry for the last five years: journalist killings, arrests, red-tagging, filing of libel charges, to name a few.”
AlterMidya has since been providing a platform for the marginalized in its reporting, and has been consistent in defending press freedom.