International Association of Women in Radio and Television - Philippines

Safety of women journalists discussed at the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women

Women’s rights activists joined the call to action, advocating the protection of women in media from politically motivated and gender-based attacks in the Philippines in the ongoing 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

“Women in media do find common cause with the plight of the larger community of women in the country, as many are working with low pay, without benefits, and no hazard pay. They are also offered hardly any protection and safe reporting mechanisms from gender-based attacks in the course of their work, contributing to the stigma in seeking accountability from perpetrators,” said Lynda Catindig-Garcia, chapter head of IAWRT Philippines.

During the event, IAWRT Philippines and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) led the discussion on the safety of women in media, per the findings of their 2023 and 2024 research funded by International Media Support (IMS) and the British Embassy Manila through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), respectively.

Therese San Diego Torres, IAWRT Philippines secretary, said that while most of the journalists say that such threats and attacks have not prevented them from pursuing a story, “some admitted that there is indeed a chilling effect that may lead to self-censorship, as such experiences make them hesitate and think twice before pursuing or publishing a story.”

Torres, who also sits as Research, Policy, and Advocacy director of AIJC, said she was also able to interview journalists who prefer to cover war over politics because "they know where the bullets are coming from."

Journalist Lady Ann Salem shared how the government wielded its power to silence women truth tellers in the Philippines. Meanwhile, multi-awarded television broadcast journalist Karen Davila, who is also the UN Women National Ambassador for Goodwill, shared how she was subjected to online harassment such as trolling under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

IAWRT Afghanistan chapter head Najiba Ayubi and IAWRT USA chapter head Sheila Katzman also shared how the Philippine experience resonates with theirs.

The in-person parallel event was held at the Chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations on March 19, 2024.

The co-organizers of the in-person parallel event are IAWRT, IAWRT USA, IAWRT Afghanistan, the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development (APWLD), and Gabriela New York.

IAWRT Philippines brings situation of Filipino women, journalists to CSW68

As we commemorate Women's Month, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) Philippines is set to bring the situation of Filipino women and women journalists before the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) here at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

IAWRT Philippines is organizing "Our Stories, Our Struggles: Safety of Women in Media," an in-person parallel event to be held at the Chapel of the Church Center of the United Nations on March 19, 2024, 10:30 a.m. EDT.

IAWRT Philippines hopes this platform can serve as a springboard for continuing discussions, actions, and research on the gendered experiences of women in media.

Just last week, two Filipino women journalists were harassed while covering the violent demolition of homes at a 73-hectare disputed land in the Philippines where approximately 2,000 residents or 535 families were affected. At gunpoint, one of the journalists was told to stop covering. This is usually how the lives of women journalists, and Filipino women as a whole, intersect. But fundamentally, their shared experiences go far beyond this.

Women in media do find common cause with the plight of the larger community of women in the country, as many are working with low pay, without benefits, and no hazard pay. They are also offered hardly any protection and safe reporting mechanisms from gender-based attacks in the course of their work, contributing to the stigma in seeking accountability from perpetrators.

The IAWRT Philippines event is co-organized with IAWRT, IAWRT USA, IAWRT Afghanistan, the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development (APWLD), and Gabriela New York.

March 18, 2024

Hands off women journalists!

The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) Philippines is alarmed over what appears to be inadequate action of local authorities to investigate the harassment of two women journalists who were covering a demolition in Pampanga last week.

Rowena Quejada of K5 News FM Olongapo and Joann Manabat of Rappler were covering a violent demolition of homes in the over 73-hectare disputed estate in Angeles, Pampanga, when they were confronted by members of the demolition team of Clarkhills Properties Corporation.

At gunpoint, Quejada was told to stop taking videos. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) earlier reported that the demolition team called her a “devil” for reporting the then ongoing demolition of homes and took her phone. When the reporter approached the local police for help, they did not assist her or even allow her to use a cellphone to contact her colleagues.

This incident is infuriating as journalists play an important role in uncovering the truth, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and holding the powerful to account.

Any threat to journalists also poses a threat to the people’s right to know.

As IAWRT Philippines continues its engagement at the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, we call on the global community to stand up for press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists, particularly women journalists, in carrying out their vital role.

Reference:

Executive Board
International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) Philippines

PUP, IAWRT Philippines strengthen partnership to advance rights, welfare of future women journalists

In time for National Women's Month, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) Philippines and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) signed a memorandum of agreement that seeks to strengthen their partnership and collaboration for the rights and welfare of future women journalists and media workers.

IAWRT Philippines and PUP agreed to collaborate on the Digital Safe House and Collaboration Platform for Filipino Women Journalists, a digital hub for women journalists at risk, and also the Butterfly Campaign, an initiative that seeks to end gender-based and politically-motivated attacks against women truth tellers.

Among those who signed the agreement are Ms. Lynda Catindig-Garcia, IAWRT Philippines chapter head, and Dr. Anna Ruby Gapasin, PUP Vice President for Research, Extension and Development.

Also present during the ceremonial signing were IAWRT international acting president Jola Diones Mamangun, IAWRT Philippines deputy head Janess Ann J. Ellao, PUP College of Communication (COC) Dean Hemmady Mora, PUP Open University head Rudolf Anthony Lacerna, PUP Gender and Development Office director Jerome Permejo, and esteemed faculty members of the PUP COC.

📷 PUP

IAWRT welcomes the visit of UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression Ms. Irene Khan to our Philippine chapter member Frenchie Mae Cumpio today in Tacloban City Jail.

UN Special Rapporteur visits jailed Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio - IAWRT IAWRT Acting President Jola Diones-Mamangun flew to Tacloban with fellow IAWRT members and met Frenchie’s mother Rexly and Marielle’s mother Marieta and invited them to take part in the Butterfly Campaign for Women in Media of IAWRT Philippines.

Statement:

NUJP Leyte Thanks UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan for Advocating Press Freedom in Eastern Visayas

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Leyte Provincial Chapter extends its deepest gratitude to UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan for her visit to our region on January 27. During her visit, she met with jailed journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and her colleagues for a one-on-one discussion, focusing on their current situation inside the jail.

Special Rapporteur Khan's visit included stops in Baguio, Tacloban, Cebu, Manila, and other cities to personally assess the status of press freedom and free expression in the Philippines. While she declined to be quoted during her initial visit, she pledged to issue a statement during a press conference scheduled for February 2, 2024, in Manila.

In Tacloban City, the Special Rapporteur immediately proceeded to meet with Ms. Cumpio upon her arrival at the airport. Subsequently, she also engaged with Civil Society Groups, the Church, lawyers, parents of Ms. Cumpio, and journalists who are members of NUJP Leyte to gain insights into their experiences with red-tagging, intimidation, and harassment by law enforcement agencies.

During these discussions, NUJP Leyte had the opportunity to inform the Special Rapporteur about the media landscape in the region, the challenges faced by media practitioners, the impact of red-tagging and intimidation on their safety and livelihood, and recommendations for action by the UN Human Rights Group and the Philippine government.

NUJP Eastern Visayas recommends that the UN Human Rights Council adopt a resolution to initiate an independent fact-finding mission or Commission on Inquiry regarding the human rights situation, specifically the state of the press, in the Philippines. We also urge the Philippine government to cease red-tagging journalists, media killings, and attacks and to strengthen its policy for the protection of journalists in the Philippines.

Additionally, NUJP Leyte has recommendations for the Philippine government:

Decriminalize Libel and Cyber Libel; and Dissolve Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS).

Officially invite UN special procedures, including those on extrajudicial killings, human rights defenders, indigenous peoples, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, to conduct an independent investigation into allegations of rights violations in the Philippines;

Rescind policies and programs related to the campaign against illegal drugs and counterinsurgency that have significant adverse impacts.

Throughout her engagements with various group leaders, Special Rapporteur Khan demonstrated unwavering support for press freedom and free expression, offering hope to journalists and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) facing challenges to these fundamental rights.

Her visit underscores the importance of protecting press freedom and the crucial role journalists play in upholding democracy and accountability. We appreciate her attention to the situation in the Philippines, particularly in Leyte and Samar provinces, where journalists have encountered challenges in carrying out their work.

We are grateful for Special Rapporteur Khan's commitment to amplifying the voices of local journalists and CSOs on the global stage. Her visit serves as a reminder that the international community stands in solidarity with journalists striving to uphold truth and transparency.

We eagerly anticipate continued collaboration with Special Rapporteur Khan and the UN as we work together to defend press freedom and create a safe environment for journalists to work without fear of reprisal.

NUJP Leyte Chapter
January 29, 2024

IAWRT-Philippines holds anti-s*xual harassment training-workshop

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) – Philippines held a training-workshop on s*xual harassment in workplaces for Filipino women journalists.

Atty. Minnie Lopez, Assistant Secretary-General for Campaigns of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers discussed the existing Philippine laws that can help women who experience s*xual harassment in the workplace.

“Indifference to complaints of s*xual harassment victims should no longer be tolerated. There are social movements that have raised awareness on the continued prevalence of s*xual harassment especially in the workplace,” she said.

“We have a big role even though we are not victims. We should assist victims through continuous education because they need to know that they have rights and they have remedies under the law. Our moral support is a big help in empowering them,” she added.

The hybrid event was attended by journalists, communication practitioners, and students, and it had a breakout session where the participants were able to share and talk about their gendered experiences.

This event is organized by IAWRT-Philippines and the Digital Safe House Project in partnership with the International Media Support.

Text by Cyril Dayao
Photo by Erica Ann C. Villasorda

How is it to be a woman journalist?

In our society or elsewhere in this chauvinistic world, being female is daunting enough. The challenges that we face are gargantuan, to say the least, such that we must exert every effort to assert our rights even as a citizen whose fundamental birthrights are supposedly assured by the Philippine Constitution.

In some societies outside ours, even fetuses whose gender is not desired by the patriarch in the family do not stand a chance to even exist. More so, elsewhere globally, very young girl-children have become easy prey for s*x traffickers whose influence among law enforcers is so deeply entrenched that no law can be applied to them.

The odds against us are definitely countless, simply because we are females. It makes it even more daunting when we follow our hearts’ desire to be consistent with our nature… to be truth-tellers.

Women journalists face more than double the challenges being faced by women in society. From having to deal with a work environment that has been dominated by male superiors since time, to dealing with sources who have the same mindsets as their male counterparts elsewhere where misogyny is the order of the day, women journalists have to don an invisible armor or be equipped with a psychological shield that could withstand attacks from all over.

Overall, I would just like to read a situationer by the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines as follows:

"Threats to Truth-telling, Free Expression Worsen During Marcos Jr.’s First Year in Office

One year into the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the state of free expression has not improved. In fact, it has further deteriorated in the Philippines.

President Marcos Jr. pledged to uphold press freedom. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, however, recorded 84 incidents of attacks on the media from June 30, 2022 until July 22, 2023. This number is 42 percent higher compared to the documented cases during Duterte’s first 13 months in office.

Three journalists have been killed while four others survived two separate shooting incidents. The July 14 shooting of San Juanico TV reporters in Pastrana, Leyte by members of the local police and the subsequent surveillance and harassment they are subjected to prove that a lot has to be done to address impunity in the country.

Community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and dozens of artists, including Adora Faye de Vera, Amanda Echanis, JP and Grace Versoza, Lorie Sigua, and Aldeen Yañez among others, continue to languish in jail over trumped-up criminal charges. Their only crime is that they have utilized their skills and talent to amplify the voices of marginalized and oppressed sectors.

Libel laws continue to be wielded as a form of harassment against journalists. The Court of Appeals upheld the conviction of Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr., and even extended the prescription period of cyber libel from 12 years to 15 years. Last December 2022, journalist Frank Cimatu was convicted of cyber libel over a satirical social media post pertaining to former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol.

The blocking order against the websites of media outfits Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly, and of several progressive people’s organizations stands. For publishing critical news and views, they continue to be censored by the Philippine government.

President Marcos Jr. also remains silent on various attacks against freedom of expression, especially in support of the right to assemble and seek redress for grievances.

The red-tagging of journalists, artists, activists, and anyone expressing opinion contrary to government narratives persists. The government task force mandated to end the armed conflict and their minions attempt to portray as “terrorists” those who voice out legitimate criticisms and concerns. The entire state machinery, under the guise of the “whole-of-nation-approach” is used to curtail not only free expression but also the right to organization of different sectors pushing for their rights and welfare.

State forces wield the anti-terror law as a weapon against human rights defenders. The Anti-Terror Council has designated as terrorists indigenous peoples activists in the Cordillera, and a community doctor in Mindanao despite the dismissal of fabricated charges filed against these human rights defenders. In the Southern Tagalog region alone, 15 activists, including two Church leaders, have been charged with violation of the Anti-Terror Act.

Marcos Jr. has not lifted a finger to undo the excesses and abuses of Duterte. His inaction is taken as a go-signal by those who continue to violate the people’s right to free speech and free expression.

We, journalists, artists and advocates, speak now to challenge the Marcos Jr. administration to reverse the policies of his predecessor and uphold and respect the people’s rights.

Free Frenchie Mae Cumpio and all detained artists and human rights defenders!

Stop censorship! Unblock the truth!

Junk the Anti-Terror Law!

Artists and Media, Fight Back!"

I too have had my share of undesirable experiences and challenges some years back in my career, perhaps to a lesser degree. And because during our younger days, our consciousness about gendered abuses was so limited, we somehow just let it pass without so much of a whimper.

Thus it took years, and seemingly a strong “shaking” from a deep slumber when I actually experienced an attack against my person at a time when I was all alone, an unaccompanied “elderly” in a strange place in my revered island of Mindanao, that I realized the gravity of our situation as journalists. Though I was physically unharmed, the psychological and mental torture was almost unbearable, as the aftermath “what ifs” tormented me daily as I struggle to keep my sanity intact, up until the present time.

Questions like what if I lost my cool and fought back, would I have survived that ordeal? Had I been a young journalist, would I have had the chance not to be molested, killed, and later dumped in some deserted area and left to rot? Had I not been able to get in touch with a close family member on a call, would my whereabouts and my predicament be known?

These are just a few of my mental health issues that until now still haunt me and keep me from living a “normal” life, (or meron bang ganu'n?)

Rappler’s Maria Ressa’s case is a celebrated one, but there have been countless cases of abuse perpetrated against women journalists that have not been known and addressed, and still awaiting justice, just like that of Frenchie Mae and many others.

The brighter side, however, is that nowadays there are organizations that are carrying our causes and taking up the cudgels for us and our issues, something that we cannot expect each of our news outfits will do.

I will always be endlessly grateful to my fellow journalists back home who stood by me when I was down and out, to the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) and to the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) – Philippines that literally nurtured me in my most vulnerable moments, boosting my confidence and made meaning of my struggles through all those difficult times. I want you to know, especially my sisters in IAWRT Philippines's Board of Directors who are always there for me, that I am grateful.

For now, I can truly say I am slowly but surely taking back my strength, though it might take more time to really feel safe and secure, as a friend once said, “There is really no timeline for mental health.” So, Sisters, we need to take care of ourselves and continue to be beautiful and strong for each other. I love you all…

Speech by Margarita Valle
Photo by Erica Ann C. Villasorda

IAWRT-Phillippines launches its publication on Guide to Documenting Gendered Experiences

The International Association of Women Journalists in Radio and Television (IAWRT) – Philippines launched its recent publication entitled “What To Do: A Guide to Understanding Attacks Against Women Journalists” last November 25, 2023 at the UP Hotel, Diliman, Quezon City.

This guide is intended to be used by women journalists in the Philippines to understand and address threats they commonly face. Data and practical tips included in this guide were lifted from training, interviews, and consultations of IAWRT Philippines with experts in the field.

Journalist Lady Ann Salem, who was arrested in 2021, said the manual is a handy and practical guide for her fellow truthtellers as they find themselves in difficult situations.

"These situations are things they used to just report about but now also find themselves in, with the increasing attacks against journalists through traditional means and now also social media and lawfare and the continuing impunity for crimes against them," Salem said.

Salem, who is also the communications officer of the international board of IAWRT, said that during her arrest, "I saw how the stories I used to write, report or edit happened to me, in a checklist-like fashion. And my mind raced and protested at all my rights that the police violated then but I could not do anything about it because my life was literally in their hands."

"It was a point that I think all my journalists' safety trainings reached their limit - for what is a journalist to do amid 20 armed police in your home after they planted guns and explosives and are about to put you in jail. But it was also then that I knew that these safety trainings have helped me a lot up until that point. So innovations like this paralegal manual are always a welcome effort from journalists to give and offer to other journalists," said Salem.

The manual was written and published as part of the Digital Safe House and Collaboration Platform for Women Journalists in the Philippines project of IAWRT Philippines, through its engagement with the International Media Support.

Limited print copies of the manual will soon be available. To get a digital copy, head on to https://bit.ly/What-To-Do-Digital.

📢 CALL FOR ARTWORKS

Ano nga ba ang mukha ng isang mundong may pagpapahalaga sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag?

Beshy! 🤸 Alam mo ba na ang Agosto ay hindi lang buwan ng wika? Sa buwan din na ito ginugunita ang Pambansang Araw ng Malayang Pamamahayag!

Kaya sa nalalapit na 2nd National Press Freedom Day, samahan ang mga mamamahayag 🖋️ at artista ng bayan 🎨 sa iba't ibang activities na ni-ready namin 🤝, open for all!

Express yourself and join our ART CHALLENGE!

1. Download your preferred template in .png or .psd. here: https://tinyurl.com/Press4Freedom2023
2. Create an artwork answering the question: "How do I envision a world where press freedom is upheld?"
3. Add your chosen template as the top most layer of your artwork.
4. Post your work on social media with the hashtags: ; ; and .
5. If you want your work to be included in the Press for Freedom Exhibit on August 30, 2023, kindly email your work to [email protected] with the subject: Press for Freedom Challenge.

🗓️ Deadline of submission: August 21, 2023

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This event is organized by:
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
DAKILA
Active Vista
Concerned Artists of the Philippines
Altermidya
International Association of Women in Radio and Television
College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Pinoy Weekly
Pinoy Media Center

IAWRT Philippines Concludes Three-Part Digital Safety Training

Filipino women journalists attended the third session of the Digital Safety Training titled "Protecting Your Digital Space from Gender-Based Online Violence" last August 12, 2023 held via Zoom.

Lisa Garcia, executive director of the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA), shared their report on online gender-based violence, their process of mapping and analysis, as well as their group’s activities and strategies in dealing with this.

FMA is a partner of the Digital Safe House and Collaboration Platform for Women Journalists in the Philippines.

Lawyer Frank Lloyd Tiongson of the National Union of People’s Lawyers discussed Philippine laws that apply to cases of online violence and the process of documenting these.

The Digital Safety Training for Women Journalists series is organized by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television – Philippines in line with the Digital Safe House for Women Journalists (https://www.digitalsafehouseph.net/), a one-stop digital hub for women journalists seeking support in the face of online and offline attacks, abuse and violence.

This training is conducted in partnership with International Media Support.

Text by Cyril Dayao
Graphics by Sanafe Marcelo

Digital Safety Training for Women Journalists In Its Second Session

The Digital Safety Training for Women Journalists series continued for its second session via Zoom last August 5, 2023, focusing on “Detection and Analysis Techniques for Social Engineering and Phishing” and “Documenting and Reporting Compromised Media Accounts.”

During the session attended by women in media, 11 participants learned more about the common types of phishing and their indicators, as well as dealing with and avoiding scams related to this social engineering attack. The participants also learned about digital security incident response and its life cycle.

The last session of the Digital Safety Training is on August 12, 2023, where the topics “Online Gender-Based Violence” and “Documenting Online Violence” will be covered.

This Digital Safety Training for Women Journalists series is being organized by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television – Philippines and the Digital Safe House for Filipino Women Journalists, conducted in partnership with International Media Support.

Interested participants may get in touch with us by sending us a message on our page.

Text by Cyril Dayao
Graphics by Sanafe Marcelo

IAWRT Philippines begins its digital safety training for women journalists

Various women in media recently participated in the first of the Digital Safety Training for Women Journalists series organized by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television – Philippines as part of its Digital Safe House and Collaboration Platform for Filipino Women Journalists.

The event that was held via Zoom last July 29, 2023 touched on “Secure Social Media Account Administration” where 15 participants learned about best practices in keeping their social media accounts secure and solving the safety-related challenges they encounter when using social media.

The next session of the Digital Safety Training is on August 05, 2023. The topics that will be covered are “Detection and Analysis Techniques for Social Engineering and Phishing” and “Documenting and Reporting Compromised Media Accounts.”

The DSH project is conducted in partnership with the International Media Support.

For interested participants, you may get in touch with us by sending us a message on our page.

Text by Cy Dayao
Graphics Sanafe Marcelo

In solidarity, PH journalists ask for Frenchie Mae’s release

By CYRIL DAYAO
Digital Safe House and Collaboration Platform for Women Journalists in the Philippines

TACLOBAN, Philippines – Filipino journalists have expressed their solidarity and demands for the release of detained community radio broadcaster Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been incarcerated over trumped up charges for the past three years.

Among those who organized the event are officers and members of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television, IAWRT - Philippines, and the AlterMidya - People’s Alternative Media Network. They include IAWRT’s international vice president Jola Diones Mamangun and IAWRT Philippines’ chapter head Lynda Catindig-Garcia.

The group of Filipino journalists were supposed to visit Cumpio in jail but their requests were turned down by concerned government offices, citing pandemic restrictions.

Still, they met with Cumpio’s mother who have expressed her gratitude to the various media organizations who have reached out in solidarity to their family and has brought the injustices committed against her daughter to the world’s attention.

They have also met with Tacloban-based journalists who have expressed their solidarity to Cumpio’s plight. Campus journalists who were also present said Cumpio’s brand of journalism has inspired them to follow the path that the detained journalist has paved for them.

“Women journalists have been subjected to relentless attacks, particularly gendered disinformation and online harassment that attempt to discredit them and their critical reportage of issues affecting marginalized communities. Others have been charged with trumped up charges, including one of our colleagues, Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who continues to be detained for more than three years,” said IAWRT Philippines in a statement last May 3, World Press Freedom Day.

AlterMidya, for its part, said the struggle to keep the country’s press genuine free persist as Cumpio remains in detention.

Cumpio has been in detention for more than three years after being arrested over trumped-up charges in February 2020. Her arrest came at the heels of relentless red-tagging against her over her critical reportage on the continuing plight of Typhoon Haiyan survivors and the impacts of militarization in the poor communities of Eastern Visayas.

Altermidya said, “with every day that Frenchie Mae and independent journalists are deprived of their freedom, burdened by fabricated charges, and silenced by unjust blocking orders– and we Filipinos are deprived of the full realization of our right to expression — it becomes ever more clear that we as a people must continue to fight for press freedom and assert our most fundamental rights.”