YACAP condemns the ongoing and relentless offensive against press freedom in our country. Recently, news outlet Rappler announced that the Security and Exchanges Commission (SEC) has ordered the shutdown of their operations. Only a few days ago, we also witnessed a similar attack, where the National Telecommunications Council ordered the blocking of the websites of alternative media outlets such as Bulatlat alongside progressive peoples’ organizations.
This continues a long trend of attacks against journalists in the country. In 2020, the Philippine Congress shut down mainstream media outfit ABS-CBN. Additionally, under the Duterte administration, at least 22 journalists have also been killed as of December 2021.
Effective climate action relies on critical journalism that documents and exposes destructive projects, problematic policies, and other issues related to the climate crisis, even if publishing these stories supposedly goes against the politically powerful. We youth climate activists join the calls to #StandWithRappler and #DefendPressFreedom in light of these attacks!
Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines 