Journalists call for better and safer working conditions
TAGAYTAY CITY—Amid the continuing killing of media persons, journalists have called for better and safer working conditions for members of the press.
In a manifesto, around 80 delegates of the 6th National Congress of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) also condemned the killing of journalists in the country.
"We call for justice for all murdered journalists and challenge law enforcement agencies and the government to resolve all the cases of killings of journalists," read the manifesto issued on Sunday on the last day of the congress held at the CBCP Retreat House here.
Founded in 1986 by the late Antonio Ma. Nieva, the NUJP is the largest organization of media workers with more than 50 provincial and city chapters. It is the Philippine affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which represents over 600,000 journalists and media workers worldwide.
Five Filipino journalists were murdered this year, despite government pronouncements and promises assuring the safety of journalists in the country, according to the manifesto.
The latest murdered journalists include broadcasters Martin Roxas in Capiz and Dennis Cuesta in General Santos City raising the death toll to 96 since1986 and 60 since 2001.
But the group pointed out that journalists all over the country are also facing dismal economic and working conditions.
"On a daily basis, journalists are being slowly killed by dismal working conditions like low pay, long working hours and lack of job security and benefits," the manifesto read.
It said Filipino journalists and media workers are among those suffering the brunt of the soaring costs of rice and other basic commodities, transport fares and other services.
The delegates called on owners of newspapers, radio and television stations and on-line news sites to improve the working conditions of their staff by increasing wages and providing transportation and communication allowances and other subsidies.
The group also urged the media owners to ensure the safety of their personnel especially those covering armed conflicts and disasters.
"In many instances, reporters and news teams are sent to dangerous assignments without adequate preparation, support and equipment," the group said.
"We believe that the dismal working conditions of journalists and media workers are also attacks on Press Freedom similar to threats and killings of members of the media," it added.
The group also called on all journalists to unite in asserting their right to decent working conditions and defending Press Freedom and for the public to support the call of journalists.
"We stand on the belief that 'there can be no press freedom if journalists continue to exist in conditions of poverty, corruption and fear.'"
Delegates of the Congress observed a minute of silence on Sunday during the burial of Roxas in Maayon town in Capiz.
The NUJP also elected its set of officers for 2008-2010 including a 15-member National Directorate.
Jose Torres Jr. (GMANews.TV) was re-elected as chairperson. The other elected officers were: Nestor Burgos Jr. (Philippine Daily Inquirer), Vice Chairperson; Sonny Fernandez (ABS-CBN), Secretary General; Marlon Ramos (Philippine Daily Inquirer), Deputy Secretary General; Rowena Paraan (NUJP Safety Office), Treasurer; and Alwyn Alburo (GMA 7), Auditor.