NUJP HITS RED-TAGGING OF PDI CORRESPONDENT

BAGUIO CITY—THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Monday raised the alarm over what it described as an “anti-activist” Facebook page that Red-tagged one of its directors, Inquirer Northern Luzon correspondent Kimberlie Quitasol.

In a statement, the NUJP said Timek ti Cagayan posted on June 26 a photo of Quitasol with an accompanying message, “Siya ang gumagawa ng twisted news (She creates twisted news).”

The post was “the latest in the growing incidence of indiscriminate accusations, sans proof, against members of the media,” the NUJP said.

Also found on the post were the logos of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

The post carried the title “Desperadong Hakbang ng Nordis dahil sa pagrered-tag sa kanilang sarili” (Desperate move of Nordis for Red-tagging itself),” which apparently referred to the local news site Northern Dispatch.

Quitasol serves as editor in chief of Nordis, an online alternative media outlet reporting on issues in northern Luzon. She has been a Baguio-benguet correspondent of the Inquirer since 2013.

Baseless

Her colleagues in Inquirer Northern Luzon also assailed the Red-tagging, calling it “baseless and an effort to stop, or limit Quitasol’s news coverage of sectors that have little or no access to media.”

“We raised concern for the safety of our colleague and fellow media practitioners who practice journalism in times when the press is perceived to be not capable of truth, objectivity and fairness,” they said in a statement.

The NUJP said Timek ti Cagayan had also Red-tagged former chair Rowena Paraan and Inday Espina-varona. It also branded Mary John Mananzan, emeritus chair of women’s group Gabriela, and Kabataan party list Rep. Sarah Elago as supporters of the CPP.

According to NUJP, the page has been promoting the antiterror bill, branding those opposed to it as “terrorists.”