The case of a jailed Filipina community journalist is among the 10 global campaigns an international media group announced it would prioritize this year.
Reporters Without Borders (Rapporteurs Sans Frontieres, RSF) said that Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s imprisonment, along with three others across the world, is an emblematic case of journalists in prison.
RSF said Cumpio’s case “highlights the alarming practice of ‘red-tagging’ in the Philippines, where journalists are labeled as subversive agents and even terrorists for covering topics deemed sensitive by authorities.”
Cumpio, executive director of alternative media outfit Eastern Vista based in Tacloban City, was arrested with four other humanitarian and church workers and activists on February 7, 2020.
“A 25-year-old journalist, Frenchie Mae Cumpio faces a 40-year prison sentence on false charges of ‘illegal possession of firearms’ and ‘financing terrorism,’ RSF said.
Aside from Cumpio, RSF will continue to push for the release of Sevinj Vagifgizi of Azerbaijan, Pham Doan Trang of Vietnam, and Sandra Muhoza of Burundi, RSF Director General Thibaut Bruttin said.
“The launch of new priority campaigns is an integral part of our strategy to defend free, independent and pluralistic journalism and stand up for journalists and everyone’s right to reliable information,” Bruttin added.
Aside from the freedom of jailed journalists, RSF said its 2025 campaign include: artificial intelligence and journalism; supporting journalists in conflict zones, such as the Sahel region, Ukraine and Gaza; upholding media pluralism and independence in France; and responding to the obstacles to press freedom posed by the new Trump presidency in the United States.
The international group said it shall also supporting displaced and exiled journalists, Fight the mass harassment of journalists in India, and protect environmental journalism particularly in the Amazon. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
