Unesco head scores latest killing of RP journalist

By Michaela P. del Callar

07/15/2008

The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) yesterday denounced the murder of a Filipino broadcast journalist and called on authorities to step up the protection of media professionals in the Philippines.

Unesco Director General Kochiro Matsuura, in a statement, said the targeting of professional journalists represents “an intolerable violation of the basic human right of freedom of expression.”

He also called on the Philippine government to fully investigate the murder of radio host and newspaper correspondent Robert Sison and to increase protection for journalists.

Sison, 60, was the host of a local radio program and correspondent for the weekly newspaper Regional Bulletin, which has published articles critical of local officials.

He was shot by unidentified motorcycle-riding men while driving home on June 30 in Sariaya town, Quezon province, some 97 kilometers from the capital, Manila.

Sison died on the spot after sustaining nine gunshot wounds to his body. His two daughters, both also journalits, were in the car with him.

Liwayway, 30, was shot in the arm, and Almira, 24, escaped injury.

Earlier, New York-based media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) voiced outrage over the killing of Quezon-based journalist and urged the government to bring the perpetrators to justice, noting that Sison is the second media professional to be killed this year in the Philippines.

In the last few years, the Philippines has been ranked as one of the deadliest nations for journalists.

CPJ research shows an impunity rate of over 90 percent in murders of Philippine journalists.

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