MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that allows the broadcast and online media not to reveal sources of their stories, just like the journalists.
Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) 11458, or the act expanding the coverage of exemptions from revealing the source of published news or information obtained in confidence by including journalists from broadcast, and news agencies, more known as the “Sotto law.”
Under the law, divulging a journalist’s source shall only be required should the court, House of Representatives, or the Senate or any of the committees of congress find that such revelation is important for the security of the state.
“Any publisher, owner, or duly recognized o accredited journalist, columnist, manager, media practitioner involved in the writing, editing, production and dissemination of news for mass circulation of any print, broadcast, wire service organization, or electronic mass media, including cable television and its variants can only reveal the source of his/her information if the court or the House of Representatives or the Senate or any committee of Congress finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State,” stated under the provision of the law.
Rep. Raul del Mar, who authored the House’s version, said that an amendment to the existing law is needed as it does not mention anything about journalists from broadcast stations, news or wire agencies and internet newspapers, magazines and other publications.
“It is an omission that must be filled, an anomaly that must be corrected. The journalists envisioned by the Sotto Law cannot be confined to print practitioners,” Del Mar said.
“When Republic Act 53 was enacted, electronic journalism was almost non-existent, while the internet was not even a dream,” he added./PN
