The international Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is worried about the level of government's intrusion on media content. The IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said “increasingly security services and police are trying to identify journalists' sources," and "there is more evidence of systematic telephone tapping and much of this is carried out with the implementation of data retention laws under the pretext of the 'war on terrorism' or immigration policies."

There are many new laws that will weaken protection for journalists and their sources. Data retention laws will allow authorities easy access to journalists’ communications data. National Security claims will also plat a part in the weakening of protections. Many new anti-terrorism laws have given governments the right to demand information from journalists.

The Philippines has one of the strongest qualified laws which says “without prejudice to his liability under the civil and criminal laws, the publisher, editor columnist or duly accredited reporter of any newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news-report or information appearing in said publication which was related in confidence to such publisher, editor or reporter unless the Court or a House or committee of Congress finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State."

Even with the law, Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Juliet Labog-Javellana was cited in contempt unless she disclosed her sources on a closed-door hearing on the national broadband network deal.

Journalists in the Philippines are also concerned with the Human Security Act, which allows government surveillance of the media and the undermining of sources by the government. The government has the right to wiretap journalists if they feel it is necessary.

Recently the IFJ reports that even in liberal countries there has been "an increase in attacks on protection of sources and journalists' right to work without government surveillance." They also say that "in recent cases in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal and France journalists have been brought to court, fined or jailed for not revealing their sources," the IFJ said. Even in Sweden, who has a reputation of protecting confidential sources, there was recently a raid by the police of a TV station’s offices in Stockholm.

Source:Inquirer.net