Filipino and foreign journalists hit China’s Foreign Ministry for “barefaced” lying when it accused mediamen of manipulating videos of Chinese harassment of Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.

In separate statements, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) said they took deep offense at the insinuation made against the press.

This came after the ministry’s spokesperson, Hua Chunying, and the Chinese Embassy in Manila claimed that journalists would get on board the ship resupplying the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal and manipulate videos to supposedly make sensational news.

The videos Hua was referring to were China’s Coast Guard (CCG)’s multiple incidents of hitting Philippine vessels with water cannon, which had caused injuries and damage.

NUJP maintained that “state forces have no say in the production and editorial decisions on these reports,” except for operational and national security considerations.

“The media is not a party to the dispute and should not be demonized by parties for airing contending views on the issue and unflattering reports on incidents in the West Philippine Sea,” the group said.

Meanwhile, FOCAP said the ministry’s claim that the Philippines had journalists manipulate the footage “is a barefaced lie.”

The group also said the statements made by Hua and the Chinese embassy are “an insult” to journalists’ integrity and “an alarming attempt to muzzle an independent press.”

“A free and independent press reports not what they are told, but what they observe, framed by historical and political context,” it said.

FOCAP will not be intimidated by threats and groundless attempts to smear its members’ reputation,” it added.

It said journalists will continue courageously coveringdevelopments and the impact of events in South China Sea and across the region. 27 March 2024 Manila, Philippines