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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Panay scribes denounce attacks in 'SONA'

Panay scribes denounce attacks in 'SONA'

Published Jul 27, 2026 01:22 pm
JOURNALISTS and campus journalists gather in Iloilo City to defend press freedom. (Tara Yap)
JOURNALISTS and campus journalists gather in Iloilo City to defend press freedom. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY – Journalists and campus journalists in Panay Island over the weekend outlined the state of the Philippine media ahead of the State-of-Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 27.
“We denounce the worsening attacks on the press and reject the administration’s claims that the Philippines enjoys a free and independent media,” said Rjay Castor, chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-Iloilo Chapter.
“Press freedom is more than the absence of censorship; it is the ability of journalists to report the truth without fear, intimidation, or violence,” added Castor.
Also attending the gathering were the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) in Panay, the People’s Alternative Media Network (Altermidya) Panay, the Communication Arts Department, and USA Publications.
Castor, citing NUJP data, reminded the mostly student journalists of the challenging state of media affairs.
Since the start of the Marcos administration in 2022, there were 242 documented cases of media killings, physical attacks, cyberattacks, red-tagging, cyber or libel cases, and press restrictions.
Local campus journalists shared issues and concerns, including challenges faced by school publications with school administrative officials.

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