The first book, “Defending Journalism,” deals with a comparative analysis of how national mechanisms can protect journalists and address the issue of impunity in seven countries. The second book tells the “Impact of Reporting of the Mamasapano Incident on the Peace Process in the Philippines.”
The books are a collaboration of the two groups with support from the International Media Support (IMS).
At the book launch were Aruni Ranaraja, Ambassador of Sri Lanka; Commission on Human Rights Chairman Chito Gascon; Makabayan Chairman Saturnino Ocampo; Amirah Lidasan of the Moro-Christian People’s Alliance; Marites Vitug of Rappler; Red Batario of the Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD); and Ariel Sebellino executive director of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI).
In their messages, Lidasan and Ocampo stressed the importance of providing context in the reportage of vital issues, including conflict and human rights while Gascon pledged the CHR’s support for the campaign to defend freedom of the press and of expression and to keep journalists safe in a country long described as one of the deadliest places for the profession.
NUJP, AICJ, IMS, CCJD, PPI and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility are also partnering with UNCESCO in a breakthrough effort to craft the “Philippine Plan of Action for the Protection of Journalists.”
