PROTEKSIYON SA MEDIA ISINABATAS NA

ISA nang ganap na batas ang panukalang mabigyan ng proteksiyon ang mga mamamahayag na huwag ibunyag ang kanilang sources ng impormasyon para sa pagbabalita.

Nilagdaan na ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang Republic Act No. 11458 na nagpapalawig sa coverage ng exemptions na sumasaklaw sa mga accredited journalist, publisher, writer, reporter, contributor,opinion writer, editor, columnist, manager at mga media practitioners mula sa broadcast at mass media na hindi maaaring piliting ibunyag ang kanilang confidential sources.

“Without prejudice to his liability under the civil and criminal laws, any publisher, owner or duly recognized accredited journalist, writer, reporter, contributor, opinion writer, editor, columnist, manager, media practitioner involved in the writing, editing, production and dissemination of news for mass circulation, of any print, broadcast, wire service organization, or electronic mass media, including cable TV and its variants, cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news item, report or information appearing or being reported or disseminated through said media, which was related in confidence to the above mentioned media practitioners unless the court or the House of Representatives or the Senate or any committee of Congress finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State,” sabi pa sa batas.

Inamyendahan ng nabanggit na bagong batas ang Republic Act No. 53 na mas kilala na “Sotto Law” na magbibigay proteksiyon lang sa print media.

Ang batas ay magiging epektibo 15 araw makaraang mai-publish sa dalawang pahayagan na may national circulation. EVELYN QUIROZ