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As long as the second-highest elected official of the land believes social media is where people should get their truth, the Philippine media will continue fighting for our place under the sun
As long as the second-highest elected official of the land believes social media is where people should get their truth, the Philippine media will continue fighting for our place under the sunPhilippine media faces challenges, including Vice President Sara Duterte's criticism of journalists and a legal case against former SunStar Cebu editor-in-chief Marchel Espina.
Marchel Espina is dealing with an unjust vexation case linked to an opinion piece criticizing the Iglesia Ni Cristo, which has resulted in legal and financial burdens. The case against Espina is seen as a threat to press freedom, with calls from various organizations to protect journalists from legal intimidation.and her call to her supporters to make social media their source of truth.
Second, the unjust vexation case filed by an Iglesia Ni Cristo district supervising minister against former SunStar Cebu editor-in-chief and former Rappler correspondent Marchel Espina, and others. The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines called Sara’s words a page out of a dictator’s playbook, the same one her father read out of. Remember the term “presstitutes” popularized by pro-Duterte social media personality Mocha Uson?
Marchel’s current experience speaks to the pressure and threats facing journalism at the level of the individual. A warrant was issued on July 13 in Batangas, far from Bacolod City where Marchel lives. A day later, police appeared at the SunStarCebu office to serve the warrant, but Marchel was not there since she’s no longer an employee of the newsroom. The first time she heard about the arrest warrant was on July 15.
Marchel voluntarily surrendered before police in Bacolod City on July 17. On the same day, she was able to pay bail amounting to P6,000 in a regional trial court in the city. But she still faces days of trial in the months ahead, when she is required to make an appearance in Batangas. She can expect to miss work; spend money on transportation, including flights; she will have to tap lawyers, and spend on documents.
“Especially because of the uncertainty, the financial burden, and the online harassment, which has included attacks from troll accounts using my mugshots and photos,” she said. Her story is all too familiar. .
It’s a “catch-all offense” that encompasses acts that “may not cause physical injury or financial loss, but unjustifiably annoy, irritate, torment, or disturb another person’s peace of mind,” according to thisEven if the penalty for unjust vexation is relatively light, it is a huge burden to a journalist because it still gives you a criminal record and requires costly court proceedings. How did Marchel allegedly commit unjust vexation against the complainant, an INC district supervising minister?
According to documents pertinent to the case, it was because she was editor-in-chief of SunStar Cebu when it published an opinion piece by writer Reni Valenzuela entitled, “Demonic ‘church meddling’ in politics. ” The piece, which was clearly placed under the Opinion section, criticized the INC for organizing rallies favoring Vice President Duterte and its “church block voting” practice during elections.has called the unjust vexation case against Marchel a threat to press freedom and an example of how the is law wielded to “wear down journalists and chill critical reporting.
”also issued a statement in support of her, saying, “While it is within a person’s right to pursue legal remedies, laws must never be weaponized to suppress journalists from performing their professional duties as truth-tellers and reporting on matters of public concern. ” I asked INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala for the organization’s response to these assertions, but he has yet to issue a formal statement.
As long as the second-highest elected official of the land believes social media is where people should get their truth, as long as the law can be weaponized to intimidate journalists from doing their job, the Philippine media will continue fighting for our place under the sun. Thank you for fighting with us.
Alex Eala keeps raising level of play with wins over world’s top players Sports reporter Delfin Dioquino recaps Alex Eala’s incredible journey, as her star rises ever higher with every new challenge. The Vice President did not violate Commission on Audit rules when her office spent P125 million in less than two weeks, says her defense team.
After the Office of the Ombudsman announced pending plunder and graft complaints against her and her son, the Senator has not shown up at the impeachment court for two days. Be the Good is a newsletter that comes out every other Wednesday. We deliver updates straight to your inbox on how journalism and communities can work together for impact.
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