News Releases

RTDNA Mourns Journalist Deaths, Condemns Violence in The Philippines

Contact: Stacey Staniak, 202-467-5214, staceys@rtdna.org

For Immediate Release: November 24, 2009

WASHINGTON--The Radio Television Digital News Association is deeply saddened over the deaths of at least 10 journalists working in the southern part of the Philippine Islands.  The reporters are among nearly 50 people known so far to have been murdered as part of violence surrounding elections in the Maguindanao province.

“These journalists have given their lives covering vital news for the people of their region,” said RTDNA Chairman Stacey Woelfel. “That is the ultimate sacrifice a journalist can make for a story.”

The violence, which came following the opening of filing for local elections, appears to have been committed by gangs of men working for politicians in the area.  RTDNA now calls on the Arroyo government to step up its efforts to protect the journalists and all citizens of the region from the lawlessness surrounding the elections.

“For democracy to work, voters must be able to make their choice safely and journalists must be able to cover all candidates without fear of reprisal or assassination,” Woelfel said. “The leaders in this region and all of the Philippines must provide security so that the election process can become an unchallengeable part of the democratic culture.”

RTDNA is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTDNA represents local and network news executives in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries.

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