11 April 2007

Alert

Imprisoned radio journalist faces danger of reprisal from fellow inmates over past crime reporting


Incident details

Alex "Lex" Adonis

journalist(s)

imprisoned
(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 April 2007 IFJ media release:

Journalist jailed for four years after revealing politician's affair

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has pleaded again for the decriminalisation of libel in the Philippines, after a journalist was sentenced to over four years' jail.

Radio journalist Alex "Lex" Adonis, 43, was reportedly imprisoned when he could not afford to defend himself against a libel conviction filed in October 2001 by Davao congressman Prospero Nograles, after Adonis revealed Nograles' alleged affair.

IFJ President Christopher Warren said that Adonis' incarceration was an indictment of the Philippines' legal system.

"It is an affront that a journalist is in prison because he could not afford legal representation, to fight a conviction that should not be part of the criminal code to begin with," Warren said.

"The Philippine government must take immediate action to rectify this draconian legislation and free Alex Adonis," he said.

Adonis had worked in the media industry for 18 years, but when Nogales' case against him dragged out for five years, his P7,500 (approx. US$150) salary from Bombo Radyo in Davao reportedly was barely enough to feed his family.

According to local reports, Adonis could not afford a lawyer and missed much of his hearing because he couldn't get to court between his radio programs.

Adonis was arrested while visiting his mother on February 19.

Adonis told the Philippine newspaper The Inquirer that he was concerned about being transferred to Davao Penal Colony, where he would come face to face with drug lords and organised crime bosses he had previously attacked on air.

"The IFJ has serious concerns for the safety of Adonis and calls for an immediate review of his case," Warren said.

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries.



Source:

International Federation of Journalists
International Press Centre, Residence Palace
Bloc C, second floor, Rue de la Loi, 155
1040 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 2352207
Fax: +32 2 2352219
 

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More on this case

Journalist jailed for libel released from prison 5 January 2009 Radio commentator still in prison despite being granted parole, paying bail 28 May 2008 Journalist receives four and a half year prison sentence for article on congressman's alleged love affair 2 April 2007

Philippines

TV news crew allegedly threatened by village councillor 6 February 2012 Publisher threatened after condemning colleague's murder 19 January 2012 Arson attack on radio station; journalist gets death threat 16 January 2012 Journalists, media workers harassed in Manila demolition 12 January 2012 Tragic start to 2012 as media worker is murdered 6 January 2012 See all alerts: Philippines


 
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