New America Media Condemns Murders of Journalists and Others in Philippines

On behalf of New America Media (NAM), radio host and TV anchor Odette Keeley condemned the recent murders of 58 journalists and others in the Philippines. NAM is a national association of ethnic media. (pic: NewAmericaMedia.org)

The following commentary is from New America Media (NAM) and Odette Keeley, the host and producer of NAM's public radio newscast and the anchor of NAM's monthly TV show.  She was a TV reporter and producer for ABS/CBN Channel 2 in Manila.

New America Media editor's note: As Martial Law took effect on Dec. 5, 2009, in Maguindanao province in Mindanao -- site of a gruesome political massacre where 58 Filipinos, including 27 civilians and 31 media professionals were brutally murdered -- some Filipino-American activist groups in the United States and other groups in the Philippines are asking the Philippines’ Supreme Court to revoke President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s presidential order.

Good evening.

On behalf of our executive director, Sandy Close, and all our staff at New America Media, we stand in solidarity with all of you in condemning the brazen murders of these 31 media professionals in Maguindanao province in southern Philippines. We also seek justice for the 27 women, lawyers and innocent civilians who put their lives on the line, not knowing that the pursuit of a simple electoral procedure would mean their brutal deaths.

As the country’s first and largest ethnic media association, we are deeply concerned over the vicious murders of these media practitioners, what the Committee to Protect Journalists, one of our longtime partners, says appears to be the single deadliest attack on the press since 1992, when CPJ started compiling detailed reports on journalists’ deaths. CPJ also ranks the Philippines the sixth worst in terms of impunity among countries where journalists have been killed.

More than ever, America’s diasporic media and their intersections with their homeland press play a critical role in today’s global journalism landscape. These murders are a tragic blow to the world media sector. As our executive director stresses, we at NAM “see this massacre as an urgent call to action for all news organizations that support reporting in dangerous areas to work for the greater protection of these heroic men and women.”

Many of you in this room, several of whom are members of the Philippine-American Press Club USA, are also members of our network. You are the leading voices in print, online and on the air for the Filipino community.

I have had the privilege to be among your ranks as a former news executive producer and co-anchor for ABS-CBN International – The Filipino Channel.

Through your and many of our other Filipino media partners’ tireless reporting, NAM’s global online news exchange has been able to keep our own network informed with up-to-the-minute news and insights about this political massacre.

We salute your commitment to the highest ideals of our shared profession, to report the truth as fully as possible. With you and with many of our long-time collaborators here tonight, including the San Francisco Chronicle and the Asian American Journalists Association, we honor the courage and now, the ultimate sacrifice, of our Philippine media colleagues who worked to cover the electoral process and shine the light on the human condition in some of the Philippines’ most dangerous places.

NAM calls on the Philippine government to expedite the full investigation into and actions needed to swiftly bring the perpetrators of these senseless crimes to justice. We ask the Arroyo administration to ensure the media’s free access to and information about this case, as well as commit to reforms that will help to prevent future violence against journalists.

I would like to briefly make a personal tribute to our fallen comrades in media, as NAM extends our sympathies and prayers to their families and loved ones, including victims who possibly remain unaccounted for. New America Media wants to send a message to their families, colleagues and the Philippine people that their memory and legacy will not be forgotten.

As a former reporter for ABS-CBN Channel 2 in Manila – I had the opportunity to cover the news in the Philippines’ southern provinces and saw the dangers and conflicts in those areas. The horrific deaths of these fellow journalists is a sobering reminder of how fortunate I was to have been able to safely bring the news home with my colleagues. I will personally never forget what they died for.

Benjie, Henry, Mac-Mac, Rubello, Arturo, Romeo Jimmy, Marites, Hannibal, John, Lea, Noel, Gina, Jolito, Jhoy, Santos, Bienvenido Jr., Lindo, Bart, Rey, Bebot, Neneng, Rosell, Victor, Ronnie, Joel, Ranny, Bong, Napoleon, Ian, Andy and Daniel.

“Para sa inyo ang gabing ito. Maraming salamat sa inyong inspirasyon. Mananatili ang inyong alalala at sakripisyo sa aming puso.”

To these 31 media martyrs and their families, this evening is for you. We thank you for your inspiration. Your deaths will not be in vain. We pray for the eternal repose of your souls. Your work and sacrifices will live on in our hearts, and in our spirit everyday as we strive to carry out our journalistic mission.

For all of you in this room -- media, community leaders, advocates -- know that New America Media is one of your strongest allies in amplifying the voices of your communities in the international discourse. For our Filipino media brethren, not only here tonight, but all over the United States, in the Philippines and around the world, we call for your safety and security as you continue your critical work for your global diaspora.

NAM joins all of you and the Philippine people in seeking justice for the victims of the political massacre in Maguindanao and the cessation of violence against media professionals all over the world.

======================================*Among the speakers in this PAPC memorial programme were Phil Bronstein, editor-at-large, Hearst Newspapers, and columnist, San Francisco Chronicle; Senator Leland Yee, assistant president pro tempore, California State Senate; Greg Macabenta, publisher, Filipinas Magazine and national chair, National Federation of Filipino American Associations; Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor Jr.,; Yolanda Ortega Stern, president, One World Institute [message read by Jossie Allegre]; and Annabelle A. Udo-O’Malley, Asian American Journalists Association

Source:  NewAmericaMedia.org 

SEE ALSO: 

New America Media Calls for Justice for Slain Filipino Media Professionals and Civilians

Filipino-American Journalists Honor Slain Media Professionals in the Philippines

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