Kaycee Dionio
August 30, 2023
Red is many things. It is passion and anger, courage and danger.
Crimson hues dominate the landscape of the field of journalism; they are a constant presence, and for a journalist, it predominantly means two things: either lie upon a bed draped in the vividness of red or find yourself confined within a cramped enclosure, marked by a distinct scarlet tag they always use against journalists, and human rights activists.
Press Freedom Paradox
"Just because you’re a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you’re a son of a bitch," former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said in June 2016 at his inauguration following journalist's death in Manila.
Later, on April 13, 2022, he signed Republic Act No. 11699, designating August 30 of each year as National Press Freedom Day.
The executive order pays homage to Marcelo del Pilar, renowned as the father of Philippine journalism, who was born on August 30, 1850. It encourages government agencies to "organize consciousness-raising activities on the importance of the press, their rights, and social responsibilities." Additionally, it emphasizes the imperative to "eliminate all forms of violence against the press."
It was ironic, and the irony becomes palpable when one reflects on the events that transpired during his administration.
Press freedom entails the liberty to publish news without governmental constraints. However, it's worth noting that the country's current status doesn't align seamlessly with this ideal.
As seen by the widespread red-tagging, legal persecutions, and media shutdowns aimed at journalists and media outlets, the Duterte administration throughout its term utterly contradicted its claims regarding press freedom.
While they said one thing, what happened showed something else.
The Red-tagging Dilemma
It was a bit too ironic when Maria Ressa, a journalist whose investigative work had once earned her the prestigious Nobel Prize, played a pivotal role in debunking disinformation and shed light on pressing societal concerns, found herself facing legal charges and unrelenting attacks.
Ressa's fearless and critical reporting, particularly in uncovering the corruption and brutality within the Duterte regime, garnered the criticism of the former president himself.
This clash between Ressa's journalistic integrity and Duterte's accusations reached a pivotal point when the government revoked her news organization's license in 2018.
Another case of red-tagging that occurred under the Duterte Administration is Frenchimae Cumpio, a Tacloban-based journalist and executive director of the independent news site Eastern Vista, who was held in detention for over three years on an alleged illegal firearms charge. Her colleagues and advocacy groups believe the government concocted the accusation to suppress her reporting on the military's actions against communist rebels and human rights matters.
The arms and terrorism charges against her are deemed "wrongful," relying on "questionable witnesses," and ultimately aimed to silence her for her coverage of alleged military misconduct.
Not to mention the shutdown of ABS-CBN, which rendered 11,000 employees, including media practitioners, jobless due to the National Telecommunications Commission's cease and desist order against the broadcast company.
Twenty-two journalists were killed during the Duterte Administration, and at least two were arrested and held in detention. Additionally, the country ranked 138th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index for 2021.
In a twist of irony, the administration that vowed to uphold the values of democracy and a free press inadvertently found itself associated with practices that undermine these very principles.
Red-tagging marred news media outlets and journalists. These cases are only emblematic of the broader challenges faced by journalists who dare to tread where others might not.
Maria Ressa, Frenchiemae Cumpio, and many others serve as a poignant reminder that the government is going to endanger those who dare to expose injustices.
Red-tagging is not also confined to high-profile figures but seeps into local levels, from journalists who are globally applauded for their achievements to journalists who work in dangerous environments just to give voice to marginalized communities.
For others, red might symbolize danger, but at the same time, it is also a call for courage to speak fearlessly, to write with conviction, and to unearth stories that echo the heartbeat of humanity.
Honor the red—the color that signifies the audacity to question and the tenacity to report.
The fight for press freedom is a fight for democracy. Although the press is not as free as we would like it to be, it will continue to pursue the truth because the world needs informed citizens.
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