HRW denounces redtagging of journalists on World #PressFreedom Day

HRW reaction to the red-tagging by the hosts of the SMNI show “Laban Kasama ang Bayan” during their May 3 episode:

We view with deep concern the reckless redtagging committed on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, by the hosts of the SMNI show “Laban Kasama ang Bayan” against journalists and activists. Throughout the program, the hosts repeatedly accused journalists Jonathan de Santos, former Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Nestor Burgos Jr., and the leaders of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines as members and fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army. They also singled out PhilStarNews, the online arm of the Philippine Star newspaper where de Santos is an editor. The hosts likewise took turns naming several activists and nongovernment groups as members or fronts of the CPP/NPA. While the SMNI hosts’ redtagging is nothing new – they seem to have been devoting most of their airtime redtagging people – we are alarmed by the recklessness in their most recent broadcast. As we all know, redtagging is not just simple harassment – it is meant to put the redtagged in harm’s way. Many redtagged activists have been victims of extrajudicial executions.

That the SMNI hosts did their abominable redtagging on World Press Freedom Day, arguably the most important day for journalists in the world, is not only ironic – it is tragic, and only underscores the need for journalists to defend their freedom to report the news and hold power to account.

Carlos Conde
Senior researcher
Human Rights Watch