FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Under the present law, Republic Act No. 53, 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 unless the court or a House or committee of Congress fhds 
that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State. Apparently, the 
above law covers only the members of the print media and not to broadcast 
media practitioners. 
This bill intends to include in the coverage of the law the broadcast media 
practitioners. The latter should likewise enjoy the protection given to the 
members of the print media since they equally play an important part in the 
dissemination of news and information to the public. 
Approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MANNY k? 
VILLAR 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
8 JUL 29 
:1 I 
S.No. 
0 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53 AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO EXEMPT THE PUBLISHER, EDITOR OR 
REPORTER OF ANY PUBLICATION FROM REVEALING THE SOURCE OF 
PUBLISHED NEWS OR INFORMATION OBTAINED IN CONFIDENCE BY 
INCLUDING WITHIN ITS COVERAGE JOURNALISTS FROM BROADCAST, 
NEWS AGENCIES AND INTERNET PUBLICATIONS” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION1 . Section 1 of Republic Act No. 53, as amended, is hereby 
under amended to read as follows: 
“SECTION 1. 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] A DULY 
ACCREDITED JOURNALIST OF ANY PRINT, BROADCAST, 
INTERNET, OR WIRE SERVICE ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING 
THE PUBLISHER, STATION OWNER AND/OR MANAGER, 
BUREAU CHIEF, EDITOR, NEWS EDITOR, WRITER OR 
REPORTER, CORRESPONDENT, OPINION COLUMNIST OR 
COMMENTATOR, 
CARTOONIST, 
PHOTOGRAPHER, 
OR 
OTHER PRACTITIONER INVOLVED IN THE WRITING, EDITING, 
COMMENTING ON THE NEWS FOR MASS CIRCULATION 
CANNOT BE COMPELLED TO REVEAL THE SOURCE OF ANY 
NEWS ITEM, NEWS REPORT OR INFORMATION APPEARING 
OR BEING REPORTED OR DISSEMINATED IN SAID MEDIA, 
WHICH 
WAS 
RELATED 
IN 
CONFIDENCE 
TO 
SUCH 
JOURNALIST OR PRACTITIONER UNLESS THE COURT OR 
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OR THE SENATE OR 
ANY OF ITS COMMITTEES finds that such revelation is demanded 
by the security of the State.” 
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - The provisions of Article 201 of the Revised 
Penal Code, as amended, and the provisions of all other laws, decrees, 


executive orders, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
3