The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines welcomes the enactment of Republic Act 11458 expanding the Sotto Law or Shield Law to cover broadcast and online media aside from print media.
The law exempts journalists from revealing their source of information obtained in confidence.
“…Any publisher, owner, or duly recognized o accredited journalist, columnist, manager, media practitioner involved in the writing, editing, production and dissemination of news for mass circulation of any print, broadcast, wire service organization, or electronic mass media, including cable TV and its variants” can only reveal the source of his/her information if “the court or the House of Representatives or the Senate or any committee of Congress finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State,” according to the amended law.
Protecting the identity of sources is a basic ethical principle in journalism that is intended to encourage whistle-blowers and shield sources of information especially on sensitive and confidential issues.
The amended law will strengthen the legal basis for upholding this ethical principle in the exercise of the media’s role to hold power to account.
But vigilance, perseverance and collective action of Filipino media workers will be decisive in the implementation of the law. Brave journalists have always protected their sources from selfish agenda in the past and we are confident it will always be upheld whenever this principle is challenged.
The law was principally authored by Sen. Grace Poe in the Senate and Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar in the House of Representatives. It was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 30.
