Noy flayed on press freedom claim
05/04/2012As President Aquino was patting himself in the back and claiming that the Philippine media are freest under his presidency, a report from Reporters without Borders yesterday scored the Aquino government, saying that private militias are among the predators who kill journalists.
“Made up of thugs in the pay of corrupt politicians, paramilitary groups and contract hit men paid a few thousand dollars per killing, private militias continue to threaten and kill journalists. Authorities have shown themselves powerless in the face of these groups.
“Moreover, official corruption as well as links between some politicians and organized-crime networks often allow private militias to escape justice.
“Some efforts have been made to halt the cycle of impunity. The most noteworthy example concerns the case of the massacre of 36 journalists on Nov. 23 2009 in Maguindanao province by the Ampatuan family’s militia.
“But in a climate dominated by bureaucratic ineptitude and lack of political will, legal proceedings against those responsible for the biggest mass-killing of journalists ever committed began more than two years ago and are still dragging on, without a single conviction..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120504hea3.html
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