“If you call your opponent a politician, it’s grounds for libel.” –Mark Russell
In democratic state like the Philippines, onion-skinned politicians and other known “enemies of press freedom” use libel to harass and intimidate journalists. They are aware libel is a criminal offense that is punishable by fine or imprisonment. Although, politicians are not aiming to just financially punish those in the media – they want to see those who “offended” or “defamed” them behind bars.
Most believe sending a journalist to jail for libel is tantamount to “avenging” the criticism from the journalist’s articles or commentary.
On the other hand, while nobody wants to go to jail, journalists would prefer to be charged in court (the “proper forum”) than be murdered. According to media watchdogs, the Philippines is the most dangerous country in Asia for journalists and has produced the largest cemetery in the world for members of the media.
Facing a jail sentence due to a politician filing charges has yet to cause an iota of fear and embarrassment for journalists who were merely doing their job. When members of the media are handcuffed and arrested, it’s not because of a heinous crime; it’s because somebody of poor understanding and appreciation of the occupation got mad, particularly those who misuse public funds, run for public office for personal advancement, and engage in transactions and activities contrary to public interest.
After spending a few hours in jails, the journalist in question becomes a celebrity and it hailed a “hero of press freedom;” while the politician who brought the charges forward is viewed as an object of derision and public contempt. If a public official’s attention is being called to potential impropriety, they must submit to the critical news or commentary as long as It does not breach the politician’s private life.
The imprisonment clause with libel cases is why Ilonggo community journalists, along with colleagues from other parts of the country, have been on the frontlines since the EDSA Revolution calling for the decriminalization of libel. Between 1989 and 1998, “ambush interviews,” along with press conferences held by former Senators Joey Lina, Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Nikki Coseteng, and Raul Roco, among others, pushed along a bill calling for drastic changes to the country’s libel laws – no political figure has publicly said “No” and they have all promised to initiate the steps to decriminalize libel.
They still have yet to fulfill that promise.
I am confident Rappler CEO Maria Ressa will survive this latest attempt to gag and muzzle the press in the Philippines following her recent arrest on cyber libel charges – it’s a clear case of harassment and intimidation./WDJ