CPJ backs PCIJ vs Chinese Embassy online attacks

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Monday urged the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines to halt its online attacks on the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), which have supposedly sought to undermine the outlet’s credibility and independence.

CPJ said the embassy singled out Regine Cabato, a contributor to the PCIJ, for her investigative report and follow-up video on alleged pro-China disinformation spreading in Philippine media and online platforms.

“The Chinese Embassy’s repeated attacks on PCIJ’s independence and finances are a crude attempt to discredit the widely respected center’s investigative reporting,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ senior Southeast Asia representative.

“Sustained diplomatic pressure of this type sends an intimidating message to every newsroom in the Philippines against critical coverage of China. It should stop now,” it added.

The CPJ is an independent, non-profit organization that is considered as a leading global watchdog for protecting journalists and press freedom.

It noted how the Chinese embassy highlighted PCIJ’s past grants from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) as supposed evidence of bias.

In a statement on February 25, the embassy claimed that NED has long interfered in other countries’ internal affairs, “stoking division and confrontation, and influencing public opinion under the banner of promoting democracy.”

In response, PCIJ said it receives funding from multiple sources, including United Nations organizations, and emphasized its independence since its founding in 1989.

“We are nobody’s tool. The virality of the embassy’s message within a few hours attests to the coordinated nature of this online attack," the organization said.

"We are alarmed that the Chinese Embassy is attacking independent reporting by Filipinos. Their actions only lend credence to our story,” PCIJ added.

This statement was backed by Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, in which the Chinese Embassy called a “coordinated nature of anti-China rhetoric in the Philippines.”

Cabato told CPJ she has faced significant sexist abuse and online harassment since the controversy began.

In a separate statement, the Chinese Embassy said, “It is regrettable that PCIJ continues to brand itself as a practitioner of ‘independent reporting.’ Its sustained coverage of China is characterized by one-sided accusations and deliberate smears."

"Meanwhile, it dismisses those offering objective perspectives on China as being ‘shaped’ or ‘contracted’ by China,” it added.

GMA Integrated News has reached out to PCIJ and the Chinese Embassy for additional comments.—MCG, GMA Integrated News