Tulfo wants to decriminalize libel for ‘certain groups,’ except ‘fake journos’

MANILA — Senator Raffy Tulfo said yesterday that “extortionists” who pretend to be journalists should still be prosecuted for libel as he insisted on its decriminalization, but only “for certain groups.”

During the Senate committee on Public Information and Mass Media hearing on the proliferation of fake news, Tulfo recalled that decriminalizing libel was one of his campaign promises.

“Iyan ay naging campaign promise ko. Naging problema ko na ‘yan. Hindi ko maexpose ‘yung mga gusto kong ma-expose dahil sa pag-file sa akin ng libel, so nagkakaroon ako ng takot,” Tulfo, a former broadcaster and anchor of a public service show, said.

But upon further study by his office, they came to the conclusion that libel should still be pursued against some individuals.

Tulfo particularly identified “block-timers” and content creators engaged in “attack and collect” scheme.

“Halimbawa isang Juan dela Cruz na loko-loko, mag-o-open ng channel na ginawa para magattack and collect... And then magpapanggap na journalist, walang ginawa maghapon magdamag, tumira nang tumira ng politiko hanggang ‘yung politiko mag-give up, magbibigay ng pera sa kanya,” he said.

“Those people should be exempted sa decriminalizing libel, dapat sila kasuhan,” he added.

He said “traditional” and “legitimate” journalists should not face libel cases.

“‘Yung mga traditional media, ‘yung mga totoong journalist, ‘yun dapat hindi masampahan, madecriminalize ang libel because of them,” he said.

“Ang sa akin dapat madifferentiate: sa mga true journalist, wala akong problema, doon kasi may accountability... ‘Pag du’n sa nagpapanggap na journalist sa social media, walang nag-che-check sa kanila, they can say what they want to say,” he added.

However, University of the Philippines journalism professor Danilo Arao warned against creating such distinction.

“Sa ibang bansa walang distinction, kung ikaw ba ay periodista o ordinaryong mamamayan... ‘Pag may distinction, nade-defeat po ‘yung purpose ng citizen journalism na dapat natin niyayakap at pinopromote,” Arao said.