We Don't Have Freedom of Speech When We Kill The Journalists We Disagree With

There is an unfortunate current trend in our country today regarding killing of journalists and its impunity.  And why take fancy on journalists who only do their jobs as any other citizens do theirs?  It’s very pathetic how people in power opt to silence those whose works involves merely in telling the truth or criticize if there is a need to do so. In other words, negative reporting is such a highly abhorred thing by those whom the journalists alluded to in their reports. The Philippines is one of such countries.  In fact, there was a time that based of data and facts; this country was considered to be the most murderous country in the world for journalists for a certain period of time.  What makes the scenario worst is that most of the cases remain unsolved.

This has been a perennial problem in the past administration most notably during the Marcos regime, the Arroyo administration and instances during the Estrada administration.  But not only does the accused of journalists killing confined only to the people in top powers.  Several incidences occurred too that the killings were likely focused and linked on small city government and local government making it indeed for the Philippines to be one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists.

As of June 13, 2011, the number of work-related journalists killing reached to four already for this year alone and the 145^th since democracy was restored in 1986.

Media and rights groups attributed the killings to “culture and impunity” where firearms are and powerful figures believe they are above the law.

In the most infamous incident so far, 30 journalists were among 57 people murdered in the southern Philippines in 2009, allegedly by members of a powerful clan who wanted to eliminate a rival's political challenge.  That incident put the Philippines in the map as the world’s most dangerous country for journalists as claimed by an official of the advocacy group the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) told CNN's "Amanpour" program. That would mean the Philippines is now even more hazardous than Iraq for journalists. That particular massacre in the Philippines is the single worst mass killing of journalists in history, according to the CPJ.

As of this date however, the case is still dragging in court and seems like it will remain that way for so long that we could probably think of.

Just few days ago, TV viewers were shocked to watch a video in Kalinga by which a governor in the person of Governor Jocel Baac barged into the radio booth of Kalinga broadcaster Jerome Tabanganay, June 7 and strucked the latter in the mouth with a microphone.  Such a clear case of abuse use of power.  According to the accounts by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Tabanganay was about to end his program “Agenda” of DZRK Radyo ng Bayan-Kalinga when Governor Baac arrived with men brandishing Armalite rifles and threatened the broadcaster.  Such brazen assault watched by millions on TV shows the extent to which impunity has thrived in this land of ours.

Several similar scenarios were reported in different parts of the country.   

It could only show the extent to which this system of governance has allowed tyrants and enemies of truth to use everything at their disposal to silence those with whom they disagree with impunity.

Where does it leave us then?  Certainly not in the positive note.  The deterioration of the rule of law in the Philippines has become a global awareness that extends to the White House.  The Philippines is constantly receiving large amounts of American aid and the Philippine government foot-dragging when it comes to apprehending the killers is unacceptable to America.  This government has to work hard to show that we deserve the foreign aid that we receive.

Our country has long been suffering one ugly reputation to another.  Impunity to journalists killing is one of them.  It contributes largely to our stunted growth as a nation.  Our government must start to rebuild our nation and it should start by disbanding and thereby prohibiting private armies and paramilitary forces immediately. It should also establish clear standards on human rights protection and ensure their implementation.  Such a tough job indeed but you see, it is doable for a tough leader.