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Appeal for Dismissed Television Journalists
Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels
(IFJ/IFEX) - Five editors and reporters from the International Broadcasting
Corporation (IBC - 13) were dismissed from office on 22 September 1997. This
coincided with an anti-government rally the day before that was allegedly
censored from news reports in government-controlled media organs.
The official version of events states that their removal was part of a
simple reshuffling of personnel within the TV station.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
- indicating that the official version of events is not sufficient, and that it leaves the Philippine government open to the accusation of deliberately censoring the media, interfering in editorial independence, obstructing citizens' right of free access to information and the arbitrary dismissal of journalists
- calling on them to initiate a thorough and independent investigation into this event to demonstrate the government's full respect for press freedom and democratic pluralism
Appeals should be sent to:
President Fidel V. Ramos
Office of the President
Malacalang Palace Compound
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel, Metro Manila
1005 Philippines
Tel. +63 2 521 2301
Fax. +63 2 833 7793 or 832 3793
Robert Barbers
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
Dept of the Interior and Local Government
PNCC Complex
Epifanio de los Santos Avenue
Mandaluyong
Metro Manila
Philippines
Fax. +63 2 631 8830
General Emiliano Templo
President
Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast City, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
For further information, contact:
Cailin Mackenzie at the IFJ,
Rue Royale, 266, B-1210 Brussels, Belgium
Tel. +322 223 2265 or
Fax. +322 219 2976
Email. ifj.safety@pophost.eunet.be
Web. www.ifj.org |
