Journalist and activist murdered by assassins

The Philippines is supposed to be the second most unsafe place for journalists next to Iraq. We believe that this is a misconception because while it is true that we have had the second greatest number of journalism casualties after Iraq, all the victims were so-called freelancers or working for tabloids. As far as the major newspapers are concerned, everything is normal. There is not the slightest threat to the freedom of the press that we enjoy.

Last Tuesday, a reporter working for the tabloid Saksi, who incidentally covered Malacañang became the latest in the ever increasing number of journalists murdered for what they put into writing. It is obvious that the most logical way to investigate the cause of their murder is to read the articles that they wrote to see the person or groups that he may have antagonized.

According to the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines, the reporter, Alberto Orsolino, was the 78th media member to be murdered since the restoration of democracy in 1986. Some say that the number is actually as high as 101. What we believe the National Union of Journalists should do is to review the writings of all murdered journalists and if their writings meet up with all the standards of good journalism, their names should be included in a list of all journalists who had to pay with their lives in their efforts to uphold the highest standards of their profession.

By sheer coincidence, a fifth activist was killed on the same day in San Nicolas, Pangasinan. The victim was a peasant leader and he is the fifth activist murdered this week. He and the journalists were assassinated in exactly the same way – by two men riding tandem on a motorcycle.

The only way to put a stop to all these assassinations is by identifying, arresting, prosecuting and condemning those responsible. So far, we don’t even know if the people behind these killings were acting in their individual capacities or whether it is an organized group behind these assassinations. We really find it strange that there is peace in Metro Manila where all the major newspapers are and assassinations on the provinces where there are hardly any newspapers to speak of. But when the world says that the Philippines is the second most dangerous place for journalists, the impression is that it is Metro Manila that is dangerous for us. And to compare the situation to that of Iraq is a total misinterpretation of reality. Manila is one of the safest places for journalists. People want to know what is going on and it is media that provides that information.

Anyway, the important thing is that the senseless assassinations stop whether it is media men or activists involved. No one should take the law in his own hands. We should all stand for freedom of expression. In short, the saying, "I may not agree with what you say, but will fight to the death for your right to say it." That is what freedom of expression is all about.