Freedom of speech

This is a manifestation of support to the editor and writers of this paper. It has come to the attention of the public that libel charges have been filed against the officials and writers of the Daily Tribune. This has been a vicious activity detrimental to the spirit of journalism and freedom of speech.

I need not dwell on the specifics, but it has always been the practice of all knowing individuals and their cohorts to file cases to shush fact-finders and truth checkers who publish findings based on anonymous yet verifiable sources. Supreme Court rulings are rife with doctrines on libel and its exceptions. We do not need to go textbook on this; we must be aware of the practice done in the real world.

In this instance, the cases were lodged in a hometown court, thereby ensuring a hometown victory. One argument that can be raised is to transfer the hearing of cases to a neutral battleground. It is common knowledge that hometown judges receive certain considerations from their local chief executives.

Admittedly, this writer is not aware of the specifics and the arguments of the complainant, the practice of filing cases against journalists must be frowned upon and should eventually lead to another thought-provoking discussion on why libel must be decriminalized, just like in other jurisdictions.

The last time this was raised was during the Supreme Court deliberations on the constitutionality of the provisions of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law. For a brief period, there was hope that the cyber libel provision shall be removed. Instead, the Supreme Court upheld it and even provided justifications for the criminalizing or libel as defined in the Revised Penal Code.

The Filipino is an emotional race — we are easy to please and we are more easily offended. Our libel law is proof of that. The sad part is that the people who bear that brunt of the libel cases are our journalists, who play the vital part in any nation’s democracy.

It goes without saying that freedom of the press and the media goes hand in hand with democracy and justice.

We expect our Daily Tribune writers to see

“It has always been the practice of all knowing individuals and their cohorts to file cases to shush fact-finders and truth checkers who publish findings based on anonymous yet verifiable sources.

this through. We pray that the involved fiscals and judges render fair decisions and resolutions. And we hope the principals in these cases are guided well to engage in a fair legal showdown unlike the other similar stories before them. The merits of the case shall reveal itself. In the end, the truth shall prevail.

“The cases were lodged in a hometown court, thereby ensuring a hometown victory.