Image by Duterte page via Facebook - Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte said he is not afraid to be boycotted by journalists
- Reporters Without Borders earlier urged the Philippine media to boycott Duterte’s news conferences
- The elected president said the media ‘thinks of themselves too much’
Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte said he is not afraid to be boycotted by journalists; noting that he is not even scared of losing the presidency.
In an article written by Marc Jayson Cayabyab of Inquirer, it was disclosed that on Thursday, June 2, Duterte scolded journalists saying the media “thinks of themselves too much” and deems their profession of “purity” even though it is riddled with corruption.
Aside from this, Duterte dared reporters to heed the call of Reporters Without Borders; which urged the Philippine media to boycott the elected president’s news conferences until he issues a formal public apology.
“Magboycott kayo [Boycott me]! Make it the first time in this country. Do not cover me!” Duterte said.
“Pu*** ina sinabi ko mga ugok [I already told you], pu*** ina I can lose the presidency, my life, my honor. Just don’t fu** with me. Huwag niyo na akong takutin. Boycott, boycott, leche kayo, e ‘di mag-boycott kayo [Don’t try to scare me. Boycott, boycott. Go, try to boycott me],” he added.
Earlier, international media groups joined the condemnation of Duterte’s statement that many journalists have been killed in the country because they were corrupt and those who have done wrong are not exempt from assassination.
While the Reporters Without Borders urged media to boycott Duterte’s press conference, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the remarks “apparently excusing extrajudicial killings threaten to make the Philippines into a killing field for journalists.”
Furthermore, the International Federation of Journalists stressed that the Philippines has been the second-deadliest country for journalists since 1990, behind only war-torn Iraq. In addition, the CPJ said the country ranks fourth on its impunity index, which spotlights countries where journalists are murdered and the killers go free.
Post a Comment