CA JUNKS PLEA VS NTC's 'ANTI-PRESS FREEDOM' ORDERS

NUJP Media Statement

CA junks plea vs NTC's 'anti-press freedom' orders

06/04/2007 09:04 PM

The Court of Appeals dismissed the petition filed by at least 12 groups of broadcast and print journalists led by the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) that questioned the prohibition of the airing of news that tend to have subversive content, GMANews.TV learned on Monday.

In a 17-page decision penned by Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, the CA's 12th Division found nothing illegal on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)s' issuance of directives banning the press from airing or broadcasting news and commentaries that "tend" to incite treason, rebellion or sedition.

The same ruling upheld NTC's prohibition of the airing of comments, information, interviews and other similar or related materials that tend to contain "rebellious and/or terrorist propaganda."

The court also recognized the commission's power to promulgate rules and regulations for the effective use of communications, radio and television broadcasting facilities under Executive Order No. 546.

"It bears to stress that the clear intention of the law is that no prior restraint can be imposed on the exercise of free speech and of expression, and that the freedom to communicate one's views and discuss any matter of public concern should remain to be so without fear of punishment or liability unless there be a clear and present danger of substantive evil that the State has a right to prevent," the CA said.

The petition was filed by the NUJP, Philippine Press Institute, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility , Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism; Newsbreak Magazine, Probe Productions, Center for Community Journalism and Development, and ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs; Maria Ressa, head of News and Current Affairs of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network; Jessica Soho, Vice President for News and News Director of GMA-7; Ed Lingao, Vice President for Operations of ABC-5; Arnold Clavio of GMA-7 and dzBB; Pia Hontiveros of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network and ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC); Ricky Carandang of ANC. - GMANews.TV