EDITORIAL | When Journalism is Treated as Terrorism*
February 6, 2026
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*This pooled editorial is adapted by members of the Movement for Media Safety Philippines, a network of media organizations advocating for journalists’ safety and press freedom, together with its allied and partner organizations.
Altermidya - Alternative People’s Media Network
Asian Institute for Journalism and Communication
Center for Community Journalism and Development
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines
Mindanews
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
Philippine Press Institute
The Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON)
University of the Philippines College of Media and Communication
VERA Files
It has now been 2,000 days since Frenchie Mae Cumpio was first placed in pre-trial detention in the Philippines. She has spent over five years behind bars without a conviction.
With a decision finally expected in the coming months, Reporters sans frontières / Reporters Without Borders / RSF has released a new investigation confirming that the charges that the charges against her are baseless.
Frenchie Mae Cumpio is a journalist, she belongs in a newsroom, not a prison cell.
/en/frenchie-mae-cumpio-investigation-fabricated-case-designed-convict-philippine-journalist
#FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio
On World Press Freedom Day, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) officially launches a petition calling for the decriminalization of libel and cyberlibel in the Philippines.
Journalists, artists, students, and everyday citizens continue to face libel and cyber libel cases simply for speaking out. In fact, many of the cases against journalists were filed by politicians, often in retaliation for exposing issues of public interest.
This petition calls on Congress to decriminalize libel and uphold the rights to free expression and a free press — values essential to any democracy.
Add your name today:
bit.ly/decrim-libel
LOOK: Journalists and press freedom advocates mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day through a “Walk for Freedom and Justice” at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
They call for the release of detained community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and justice for Negros-based journalist RJ Ledesma, who was among the 19 people killed in Toboso on April 19, 2026.
#WPFD2026: Philippine Press Freedom Situation in Numbers
Statement | State repression still biggest threat to Philippine media freedom
May 3, 2026
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) marks this year’s World Press Freedom Day with a commitment to continue pushing back against attacks on media freedom.
Under the Marcos Jr. administration, the NUJP recorded 242 incidents of violations to media freedom. Of the total number of attacks, 43 percent were perpetrated by government and state security forces.
Swipe left to learn more 👇
ICYMI: NUJP Statement | JUSTICE FOR RJ NICHOLE LEDESMA
April 23, 2026
The National Union of Journalists mourns the death of Paghimutad‑Negros writer and editor RJ Nichole Ledesma in a military operation in Negros Occidental.
According to Altermidya, of which Ledesma was a regional coordinator, he was in Toboso doing community work and reporting on renewable energy projects and their effects on farming communities when he was killed.
While we wait for the results of a fact-finding mission in Negros Occidental, we stress that Ledesma was a journalist — a duty that he had taken up even as a student at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, where he was editor-in-chief of student publication The Spectrum.
His death, along with that of UP USC Councilor Alyssa Alano and several others, in a military operation illustrates the risks that community journalists, activists, and rights defenders face in doing their work in conflict-prone areas.
We join Altermidya and the Ledesma family in demanding justice for RJ’s death.
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A CALL FOR FLEXIBILITY AMID THE FUEL CRISIS
Statement | April 6, 2026
As media workers return from the Lenten break, or get rest from special coverage for the Holy Week, they face the prospect of even higher fuel prices that erode salaries that are already stretched.
With pump prices seen reaching as high as P170/liter for diesel and around P115/liter for gasoline, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines calls on newsrooms to implement policies to help their workers cope with rising costs and with a potentially lower supply of public utility vehicles.
While field reporters are correctly expected to be at their beats and many production staff are required to work on site, support staff like desk people, social media producers, and artists can benefit from work-at-home arrangements that will at least help them reduce transportation and other costs.
Such arrangements can also help employers lower overhead costs and help ensure that the limited fuel in the country is used on necessary trips.
The pandemic lockdowns have shown that media workers remain productive and dedicated to their duties — in many cases, performing above and beyond requirements — even when working remotely.
NUJP also urges the provision of transportation allowances for reporters and correspondents, especially for those who are not provided crew cabs and service vehicles.
At the very least, correspondents should not be left to subtract their transport expenses from the per piece payment of a few hundred pesos they get from newsrooms.
The media community has helped each other through countless crises in the past, but our resilience is no license for media corporations to set aside their duty to care for their staff.
What does it really mean to build a culture of care in the journalism and media industry?
The Mental Health in Journalism Summit returns for its 3rd edition with exactly that in mind. #MHJS26
Organised by The Self-Investigation and co-funded by Fred Foundation, this year’s theme is “Stronger Together: Building Systems of Care.” This global, online event brings together journalists and media professionals from around the world.
🗓️ October 6-9, 2026
🎟️ Tickets, registration, and the call for participation are coming soon.
📩 Save the date to your calendar and stay tuned 👉 theselfinvestigation.com/summit
#HealthyJournalists #MentalHealthInJournalism #WorldMentalHealthDay
On 23 March 2026, the judge is scheduled to decide on the defence’s motion for reconsideration of Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s conviction for the bogus “financing of terrorism,” along with a motion to reconsider her bail. A coalition of international and local press freedom organisations reiterates that journalists do not belong in jail and that Frenchie Mae Cumpio should be released without further delay.
Full statement on our website: nujp.org
STOP ABUSING THE LAW!
NUJP Statement | March 12, 2026
The filing of charges and arrest of DZRH reporter Misael Boy Gonzales Jr. after reporting on a criminal case that Manila Councilor Rosalino Ibay Jr. is facing is clearly retaliatory and an abuse of the law.
According to DZRH, police arrested Gonzales on Wednesday for an alleged violation of the Data Privacy Act for reporting details of an arrest warrant for Ibay, who is reportedly facing an allegation of lascivious conduct under the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The case against Ibay, especially since it involves alleged abuse of a minor by a public servant, is a matter of public interest.
Reporting on it is Gonzales’ duty and not a crime.
This is not the first time that the Data Privacy Act, which recognizes exceptions for journalistic work, has been used to intimidate, harass, or retaliate against media workers.
While the security of personal information is important, the DPA is also commonly used to deny media workers access to information essential to their work and for ‘lawfare’ suits to deter or punish coverage.
NUJP demands the dropping of charges against Gonzales.
Reference:
National Directorate
[email protected]
