Duterte OKs new law allowing online, broadcast media protect their sources

These people, the new law said, “cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news item, report or information appearing or being reported or disseminated through said media, which was related in confidence by the abovementioned media practitioners.” (Shutterstock file photo)

President Rodrigo Duterte now allows journalists in broadcast and online media to protect their confidential sources.

This, after Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11458 on August 30, which expanded the coverage of RA No. 53 or the Sotto Law. A copy of it was released on Wednesday, September 25.

Under the Sotto Law, only the publisher, editor, or reporter from any publication are not required to reveal the confidential source of their news items.

But with this development, the new law covers “any publisher, owner, or duly recognized or accredited journalist, writer, reporter, contributor, opinion writer, editor, columnist, manager, media practitioner involved in writing, editing, production, and dissemination of news for mass circulation, of any print, broadcast, wire service organization, or electronic mass media, including cable TV and its variants.”

These people, the new law said, “cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news item, report or information appearing or being reported or disseminated through said media, which was related in confidence by the abovementioned media practitioners.”

Journalists are only obligated to divulge their sources if the court, the House of Representatives, the Senate, or any committee of Congress finds that such revelation is needed for national security.

RA No. 11458 is a consolidation of Senate Bill (SB) No. 1255 and House Bill (HB) No. 684. The Senate version of the measure was authored by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, while the House version was authored by Cebu First District Representative Raul del Mar.

It was former Senator Vicente Sotto, the Senate President’s late grandfather, who authored the Sotto Law in 1946.

The new law will take effect 15 days after its publication in at least two newspapers of national circulation.