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NUJP Statement on the Killing of Roger Mariano
by Jose Torres, Jr.
Tuesday, Aug. 03, 2004 at 12:08 AM
The killing of Mariano brought to three the number of journalists killed this year. He was the tenth Filipino journalist murdered since 2003 and the 53rd since the restoration of democracy in 1986. It is unfortunate that most journalists who were killed and threatened reported on corruption in government and the private sector.
The murder of broadcast journalist Roger Mariano on Saturday and the
unsolved killings of journalists belie the Philippine government's
rhetoric that press freedom is alive and well in the country.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemns
in the strongest possible terms the continuing attacks on media
practitioners in the country.
We continue to challenge the Philippine government to exercise its
political will and bring the perpetrators to justice.
We call on the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to
declare an end to the culture of impunity, which has allowed attacks
on journalists to continue.
The killing of Mariano brought to three the number of journalists
killed this year. He was the tenth Filipino journalist murdered since
2003 and the 53rd since the restoration of democracy in 1986.
It is unfortunate that most journalists who were killed and
threatened reported on corruption in government and the private
sector.
Mariano has been described as "hard-hitting" and was critical of
corrupt government officials. He used his one-and-a-half-hour news
and current affairs program in his crusade against corruption.
We call on the Philippine National Police to resolve the case
immediately and arrest not only the killers but also those behind the
heinous crime.
We urge journalists all over the country to close ranks and be
vigilant. Let us protect ourselves from physical harm by arming
ourselves with a high level of professionalism.
Even as we express our concern over the growing trend of
intimidation, arrests and physical attacks, let us not be cowed. Let
us continue to perform our duty and assert the people's right to know
despite the intimidations.
We call on all media professionals, rights advocates and other groups
working for press freedom all over the world to put pressure on the
Philippine government and to protect journalists from harassment,
physical violence and other unnecessary restrictions in the exercise
of their profession.
There is no press freedom until journalists can practice their
profession without fear and all form of constraints.
The author heads the Commission for the Protection of Journalists, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
www.nujp.org/aug2statement.htm
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