UN expert urges Philippines to better protect safety of journalists News
TheDigitalWay / Pixabay
UN expert urges Philippines to better protect safety of journalists

Irene Khan, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion, expressed concerns Friday about the escalating number of journalist killings in the Philippines and called for immediate action.

Khan emphasized that the murder of journalists constitutes the “most egregious form of censorship.” Despite global efforts to promote press freedom, the Philippines remains a perilous environment for journalists, with 81 unresolved cases of journalist killings, according to data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Khan’s recommendations extend beyond addressing journalist killings to dismantling a government task force aimed at quelling a half-century-old communist insurgency. The task force, is accused of “red-tagging,” or labelling government critics as rebel sympathizers.

There are growing calls from the international community, human rights organizations and the Philippines government to work collaboratively towards implementing comprehensive legal reforms to safeguard the rights of journalists and activists. Since the assumption of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in 2022, at least four journalists have lost their lives. The Philippines currently ranks 132nd out of 180 countries on the Reporter’s Without Borders (RSF) freedom of the press rankings.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Hitler and Nazis attempt failed coup in Beer Hall Putsch

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party attempted an ill-faited coup in Munich, Germany on November 8, 1923. Instead of seizing power, the conspirators suffered 15 casualties and their leaders were arrested, including Hitler. The future dictator would spend a year in prison as a result, where he would write his infamous Mein Kampf. Learn more about the Beer Hall Putsch.

Oregon legalized physician-assisted suicide

On November 8, 1994, Oregon passed the Death With Dignity Act by voter initiative, becoming the first US state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Read the Death With Dignity Act,

France government opens the Louvre as a public museum

On November 8, 1793, the revolutionary government in France opened the Louvre for the first time as a public museum. Learn more about the history of the Louvre.