September 11, 2024 – The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has issued a statement in response to Davao City Councilor Bonz Militar’s recent privilege speech, which called on media to “recommit to the highest standards of journalistic integrity.” The speech followed the coverage of the police manhunt for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy that began in late August.
While acknowledging the importance of verifying information, the NUJP pointed out that much of the disinformation and misinformation criticized by Militar originated from Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), which is affiliated with KOJC. False reports included exaggerated numbers of casualties on the first day of the search, unfounded rumors of a lockdown in Davao City, and incorrect claims about flight cancellations at Davao City International Airport.
KOJC counsel Israelito Torreon, who became the primary source of updates from the religious group, attributed these inaccuracies to high emotions and confusion during the operations. The NUJP noted that Militar’s blanket reminder to all media outlets unfairly suggested that journalists covering the events were complicit in spreading disinformation, rather than attempting to navigate a chaotic situation without reliable information from KOJC in the early days of the manhunt.
Journalists on the ground faced harassment and were labeled “biased” and “bayaran” (paid hacks) while covering protests by Quiboloy’s followers. They also encountered veiled threats for reporting that did not align with the narrative promoted by KOJC and SMNI.
The NUJP emphasized that Militar’s concerns about disinformation would have been more effective if he had provided specific examples and addressed the newsrooms responsible for the inaccuracies. The union also highlighted the absence of any mention of media harassment in Militar’s speech, despite verified reports of such incidents.
The NUJP reminded Militar of his duty to ensure a safe environment for journalists in the city, particularly for those who are Davaoeños and his constituents. While recognizing Militar’s right to criticize the media, the NUJP stressed the importance of supporting journalists in their efforts to report accurately and safely.
