UP-CMC laments culture of impunity beyond media killings

While many associate the culture of impunity with the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, such a culture goes way beyond the heinous murder that took place five years ago.

On this note, the University of the Philippines' College of Mass Communication reminded the government of its "utter disregard" for people's basic rights.

"As the world observes the fourth International Day to End Impunity on November 23, we take this opportunity to remind the government of its utter disregard for the people's basic rights. It has not done enough to protect and uphold the people's welfare, much less give justice to the victims of human rights violations like the massacre of 58 people (including 32 journalists and media workers) on November 23, 2009," it said.

Signing the statement were 23 faculty members, 13 staff and 71 students led by Dean Roland Tolentino.
 
The UP-CMC said it marks November not just for the Maguindanao Massacre but also other events such as:

"As we repeat the call to end the culture of impunity in the country, we call on the people to remember the month of November beyond the massacre. The culture of impunity goes beyond media killings. It is imperative for students and educators of communication and media to join the people's struggle for justice and consequently lend their voices in calling for an end to the culture of impunity," the college said.

Journalists killed

Under the Aquino administration, UP-CMC said 25 journalists have been killed in the line of duty, based on data from the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).

Yet, it said the powers-that-be "have become enemies of free expression with the passage of laws like the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the failure to pass an authentic Freedom of Information Act."

Signatories

The signatories of the statement include:

— Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News