Press Release
July 6, 2007

Jinggoy refiles bill to create a Magna Carta for Journalists

OPPOSITION stalwart Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada had refiled in the Senate a bill that seeks to protect journalists from government spies and wiretapping.

Estrada said that among the measures that he will vigorously pursue once the 14th Congress convenes is the bill to create a Magna Carta for Journalists which intends to promote the welfare of media practitioners and provide protection to journalists.

The Arroyo Administration is set to implement this month the Human Security Act (HSA) which is more popularly known as the anti-terrorism law, even as various concerns were raised over its implementation.

Mediamen have joined the critics, particularly on the provision of the law on wiretapping that could be used to harass journalists, which would be a violation of basic civil rights.

Malacanang officials have assured the public that the law would not be used outside of its objective and that the safeguards incorporated in the law would protect them from abuses.

Estrada said the Magna Carta for Journalist could give additional protection to journalist from the controversial provisions of the HSA.

"The Senate should pass the law to protect journalists from all forms of harassments and government spying to give media practioners the freedom to expose corruption in the society," Estrada said.

Based on the statistics of human rights group Karapatan, the total extrajudicial killings, since Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took office in 2001, has reached 863 as of last May 15 and most of the victims are militant church workers, farmers and youths.

There are 51 journalists murdered since 2001 and the number of enforced disappearances under the Arroyo administration has already reached 196. Estrada had already filed more than 400 bills that include measures to promote the welfare of journalists, workers, poor citizens, the environment, policemen and human rights.

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