Black Friday

EDITORIAL

Even with the observance of the Christmas season the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) observed Black Friday on Dec. 20 as the media group called for an end to the spate of attacks and killings of colleagues in the media.

Killings under the administration of Pres. Benigno Aquino III now stand at 21, the worst incidence rate under any presidency since 1986 (excluding 32 journalists killed in the Ampatuan Massacre), according to the NUJP.

“The apparent apathy of the government towards killings and attacks against press freedom emboldens attackers to inflict harm as they go unpunished,” the group said in a statement.

“When journalists are harmed and silenced, the people's right to know is put on the line. The killings and attacks therefore have to end. We plead on everyone to join us in media and initiate and join discussions on how attacks against free press affects everyone, and what can be done to mitigate these.”

The NUJP said the murder of media members Rogelio Butalid, Michael Milo and Joas Dignos and the attack against JhonavinVillalbawere reasons enough to rage and to put pressure on government to stop such killings.