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CHRY-FM : Rhea A. Gamana and Luisito Queano, The Filipino journalists’ struggle to defend press freedom

Born in Davao City, Philippines, Rhea Gamana moved to Canada fourteen years ago. She started volunteering at CHRY in April 2012, and completed her training to earn the designation of a producer in December 2012.

This episode focused on the struggles that journalists face in the midst of threats and pronouncements of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte against the Philippine media. Critical media plays a key role as watchdog of government. Journalists continue to question and express their sentiments on the human rights situation under the Duterte administration, including his war on drugs (Oplan Tokhang) and on government corruption. Journalists are being subjected to red-tagging, harassment, illegal arrests, and extra-judicial killings.

Despite these, journalists push back and will do everything in their power to defend press freedom and democracy in the Philippines. An attack on the media is an assault on the people’s right to be informed. Our guest for this episode was Nonoy Espina, Chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

Listen to the Winning Submission Here