Press Advisory from the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists

Still on the Batul case, below is an announcement from the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, Inc. (FFFJ). The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility is a founding member of the FFFJ and serves as its secretariat.

The recent killing of Palawan radio commentator Fernando ‘Dong’ Batul underscored the culture of violence that has been hounding Filipino journalists. Batul’s murder, along with the other cases of slain journalists and attacks against the media, highlighted the government’s inability to protect press freedom in the country.

In a conscious effort to call the attention of the national government and emphasize the need for a decisive and more steadfast resolution to the murder of Batul and other slain journalists, the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, Inc. (FFFJ), the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Palawan Community and Media Council (PCMC), and several local journalists and media groups will hold a joint national press conference tomorrow, June 2, in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Venue: Chancery (beside Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Taft St., Puerto Princesa City
Date/Time: June 2 (Friday)/10:30 a.m.

A funeral march – expected to be the biggest in the history of Palawan – is scheduled on June 3. Mass will start at 8:00 a.m., followed by the Batul’s burial at the Puerto Princesa Memorial Park.

For more information, please contact Nathan (0915-9987247), Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility/FFFJ (02-8400903, telefax: 02-8400889), NUJP (02-4117768), or PCMC (09189086274).