International Human Rights Day,
10 December 2007

Summary executions, extra-judicial killings. Arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions, harassment and disappearances - this was the reality of the Philippines under martial law. But this is also the Philippines 2007.

Three decades on and the issue of human rights, then as now, still awaits more attention from journalists, some of whom wittingly or unwittingly aid the violation of basic human rights through their reportage.

Ignorance on the part of reporters on the basics of human rights is dangerous. For instance, quite a number among the media think “human rights” is just for activists or leftists. Some think extrajudicial killings are nothing more than police beat stories.

As both citizens and journalists, we recognize that the issue of human rights is not just limited to political and civil rights. It is about everything and anything that affects us in our search for a decent life – the right to education and development; the right to culture and information; the right to suffrage; the right to self-determination; the right to fair trade and the right to equitable share to the country’s natural and production resources, to name a few.

We reaffirm our fundamental values and beliefs in the importance of a professional media and its role in the defense and promotion of human rights. By doing our respective work as it is supposed to be done – accurate, balanced and truthful reporting – we pave the way for more solutions to problems in our communities. We do so while appreciating the fact that media is heavily influenced by business and political interests. Equally, we acknowledge the economic hardships as well as safety and security concerns that plague Philippine journalism today.

We intend to find new ways in which we can use these threats and challenges to marshal spirits as we forge ahead to inspire a new generation and the society we aim to serve.

We recognize that there is value and strength in working closely together wherever possible and that our respective organizations have a range of expertise and priorities in helping build a dynamic and responsible media.

Having studied the challenges and gaps the media faces in the midst of human rights’ concerns in the Philippines, we:

1. Will work together to root human rights awareness in the Philippines and in contributing to the promotion and protection of human rights within Philippine society.

1. Will address the challenges and gaps in human rights reporting in the Philippines, particularly in the areas of training, information generation, publishing, and advocacy with critical stakeholders.

1. Envision the growth of a dedicated human rights reporting network in the Philippines.

1. Encourage groups and individuals to join our efforts in pursuit of these goals.

Signed:

Red Batario

Executive Director, Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD)

Alan Davis

Director for Strategy and Assessment, Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR)

Carolyn Arguillas

Chairperson, MindaNews

Rowena Paraan

Secretary General, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)