Move To Decriminalize Libel May Cover Only Working Journalists

Stakeholders are supportive of the proposed measure decriminalizing libel, but Sen. Raffy Tulfo said only professional journalists should be covered while extortionists masquerading as media should still be jailed.

During a Senate hearing on the proliferation and spread of false information or fake news chaired by Sen. Robin Padilla on Monday, Nov. 28,  members of the media and academe told the Senate committee on public information and mass media of their apprehension that under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, libel against journalists is further strengthened, sending a chilling effect on legitimate journalists. 

Among the resource persons were associate professor Danilo Arao of the UP Journalism department and Ellen Tordesillas, Vera Files president.

Tordesillas said the cybercrime law of 2012 has penalties that are a hindrance to freedom of expression.

Tulfo, himself a former media personality, said while one of his campaign promises was to decriminalize libel, his office is studying the proposal since he wants the proposed law to cover non-traditional media with accountability.

“The media organizations are responsible for the news they put out, but the people who just make their own channels that are nothing more than trash should still be charged with libel with a prison sentence,” he added.

Tordesillas said those who just post videos and articles on social media should not be considered real journalists.

“Just because you are publishing something on social media, you are already a journalist? I don’t agree with that. To be called a journalist, one should adhere to the core of accuracy, you should be reporting only the truth. They don’t publish fiction. You are a fiction writer … And also fairness,” she added.

Tulfo said vloggers, bloggers and block-timers do not have accountability and should be subject to libel.

Arao said that decriminalizing libel should be implemented not only in traditional media but also for ordinary people because if there is no protection against libel, people will lose the purpose of citizen journalism which should be encouraged.

“The call for decriminalization is already there, we did not call for abolition. What needs to be remembered is that when there is a distinction between ordinary people and professional journalism, the purpose of citizen journalism, which should be promoted for the good of people, is defeated,” he said.

“In the matter of punishment, it seems like citizen and professional journalism have the same standards and accountability should be ensured.”