CPJ joins landmark mission to the Philippines supported by the Media Freedom Coalition
Manila, June 20, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists and partner organizations have completed a joint mission to the Philippines, a first-of-its-kind effort supported by the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), a grouping of 51 member states committed to defending press freedom worldwide. During the June 16-20 mission, CPJ, Reporters Without Borders, and Free Press Unlimited took…
CPJ, partners denied visit to jailed Philippine journalist
Tacloban City, June 16, 2025—Philippine authorities on Monday refused to allow the Committee to Protect Journalists and a coalition of press freedom organizations to visit jailed journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio during a joint mission aimed at asking authorities to end her more than five-year detention. CPJ and the groups had submitted a formal request through the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) on May…
Veteran publisher Juan Dayang shot and killed in the Philippines
Bangkok, May 2, 2025—Philippine authorities must launch a swift and thorough investigation into the killing of veteran journalist and publisher Juan “Johnny” Dayang, who was shot dead in his home on Tuesday evening, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. “The fatal shooting of Juan Dayang, one of the Philippines’ most prominent news publishers, shows that…
CPJ, Southeast Asian lawmakers call on ASEAN to protect journalists, media freedom
The Committee to Protect Journalists and a group of Southeast Asian lawmakers have called for the “active engagement” of the regional bloc ASEAN in protecting press freedom and the formation of an inter-parliamentary alliance to safeguard media rights in the region, which includes some of the worst offenders of press freedom. As governments escalate efforts…
No justice for slain Philippine journalist Juan Jumalon as suspects acquitted
Bangkok, April 4, 2025—Philippine prosecutors must redouble their efforts to locate, arrest, and convict those responsible for the fatal shooting of journalist Juan Jumalon while live broadcasting from his home-based radio station, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. In a 33-page ruling dated March 18, Regional Trial Court Judge Michael Ajoc acquitted three suspects…
CPJ, partners urge Philippine president to end Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s prolonged detention as trial enters key stage
The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday joined four press freedom organizations in urging Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and its Department of Justice to end the detention of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been behind bars for more than five years. The groups said in a joint statement, led by CPJ, that the 26-year-old…
Philippine journalist Deo Montesclaros charged with financing terrorism
Bangkok, January 30, 2025—Philippine authorities must drop the terrorism financing charges pending against journalist Deo Montesclaros and stop using legal threats to intimidate the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On January 10, the northern Cagayan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office sent Montesclaros a legal notice alleging that he provided supplies to the banned New…
Radio reporter shot dead in the Philippines
Editor’s note: CPJ has not added this killing to our database as we only document work-related or possibly work-related killings, and this journalist’s death was later confirmed not to be work-related. Bangkok, October 23, 2024—Philippine authorities must launch a swift and thorough investigation into the killing of radio anchor Maria Vilma Rodriguez, who was shot three…
CPJ, partners call for swift trial after ex-governor surrenders over Philippine journalist’s murder
New York, September 11, 2024—A coalition of three international press freedom organizations on Wednesday called for a swift and impartial trial after fugitive ex-governor Joel T. Reyes surrendered to authorities in connection with the 2011 murder of Philippine broadcast journalist Gerry Ortega. “This is long overdue. Former governor Joel T. Reyes has evaded justice for…
Philippine court overturns Rappler shutdown order
Chiang Mai, August 9, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes a Philippine court decision reversing a 2018 regulator’s order to shut down the independent news site Rappler, which was co-founded in 2012 by Nobel laureate Maria Ressa and reported critically on former President Rodrigo Duterte. “The Court of Appeal’s decision to void a 2018 government agency shutdown…