The power of the press

Malaya's Nestor Mata talks about the recent government uproar in the US after the press, most notably The New York Times, disclosed its secret anti-terrorist programs. Mata compared the US government's reaction to "similar attempts by Gloria Arroyo and her political cohorts to muzzle media, both print and broadcast, in their desperate attempt to draw away attention from the continuing public outcry for her to step down from her illegitimate presidency."

"Indeed, the powers than be cannot be mightier than the press – the "Fourth Branch" of government – here in America or the Philippines!,” wrote Mata.

Read Mata's column here.