Law protecting sources of news expanded
President Duterte has signed Republic Act 11458 expanding the coverage of the Sotto law which exempts journalists from being compelled to reveal the source of information obtained in confidence.
In addition to print journalists, RA 11458 which amended
RA 53 of 1946 (Sotto Law) now includes members of broadcast and online news in its coverage.
The law covers any publisher; owner; or duly recognized or accredited journalist, writer, reporter, contributor, opinion writer, editor, columnist; manager; media practitioner involved in the writing editing, production, and dissemination of news for mass circulation of any print, broadcast, wire service organization, or electronic mass media including cable TV and its variants.
They are, however required to reveal their sources if the court, or the House of Representatives, or the Senate finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State.
RA 11458 is a consolidation of Senate Bill 1255 authored by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and House Bill 684 authored by Cebu City Representative Raul del Mar.
The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in at least two newspapers of national circulation. Right to information Senate President Vicente Sotto III, whose great grandfather Vicente Sotto authored the RA No. 53, thanked President Duterte for signing the law.
"I am grateful to President Duterte for recognizing the importance of this measure," the Senate chief said in a statement.
Sotto said that Duterte's approval of the RA 11458, "is proof that this government will never waver from its responsibility to protect journalists from legal and security threats."
"The Philippine media will always thrive in the freedoms that our forefathers have sought and successfully won to ensure democracy in our country. Our Constitution and our laws ensure that the right of the public to fair, accurate and reliable information will never be trampled upon, and that constitutional privileges enjoyed by members of the media industry will always be recognized and respected," he also assured.
Senator Grace Poe, who sponsored the Senate's version of the law as Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media chairman in the 17th Congress, also welcomed the development.
"We hail the signing of this new law. This is a legislation whose time has not only come, but is well past its due. Source protection should extend to all members of the media and across all platforms," Poe said in a separate statement.
Poe said the enactment of the RA 11458 will strengthen press freedom and the public's right to information.
"The freedom of the press and the right of the public to know are fortified when the media is able to gather and report news unimpaired and unafraid. Several times, anonymous sources played the key to uncovering anomalies and corruption, making wrongdoers accountable," she said.