Philippine right to know under fire

"...our democracy rests on the principle that the people have a right to know. Section 7, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes "the right of the people to information on matters of public concern."

 
 

--MARIA A. RESSA

Head, ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs Division

 
 

On November 29, 2007, more than 30 journalists were arrested, handcuffed and transported to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan. 12 of the journalists were from ABS-CBN, detained as "witnesses and suspects," according to the police. Others were told they would be released as soon as their identities were verified. Our Head of Newsgathering, Charie Villa, went immediately to the Peninsula Hotel to identify our people; yet, she was told they would still have to be arrested and brought to Bicutan.

 
 

 
 

Inserted from <http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=102332>