NUJP: Expanded Sotto Law upholds media ethics on protecting sources

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) welcomed the passage of the expanded Republic Act (RA) 53 or Sotto Law, saying it upholds basic ethical principles in journalism.

In a statement released on Thursday evening, the NUJP said the amended law “will strengthen the legal basis for upholding this ethical principle in the exercise of the media’s role to hold power to account.”

Under the Sotto Law, journalists are not compelled to disclose the identities of their sources unless it affects national security.

On August 30, President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11458 which expands the coverage of the existing law to cover broadcast, wire service organization, and electronic mass media journalists.

Under the 1946 version of the law, only members of the print media were exempted from revealing their sources.

“Protecting the identity of sources is a basic ethical principle in journalism that is intended to encourage whistleblowers and shield sources of information especially on sensitive and confidential issues,” the NUJP said.

“But vigilance, perseverance and collective action of Filipino media workers will be decisive in the implementation of the law. Brave journalists have always protected their sources from selfish agenda in the past and we are confident it will always be upheld whenever this principle is challenged,” it added.

The principal author of the law in the Senate was Senator Grace Poe and Cebu City Representative Raul del Mar in the lower house.

On Wednesday, Malacañang said the signing of the expanded shows the president’s respect for press freedom.  — BAP, GMA News