‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rod
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez,

House Bill No_ 1629
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No, 2275 by the undersigned Rufus
B. Rodriguez during the 15" Congress where it was approved by the Committee on
Public Information and substituted by House Bill No. 4262,

Every democratic nation today recognizes the value of freedom of the press. The
recognition and respect for this freedom is the very essence of democracy. Uncensored
public discussion is a necessary condition in a society enjoying the bounty of a free and
democratic State. Hence, freedom of the press is founded on the assumption that the widest
possible dissemination .of information from diverse, and perhaps even “antagonistic”
sources is essential for the enhancement and projection of the welfare and interest of the
people. Indeed, government can be responsive to the will of the people only when free
debate and unhampered exchange of ideas become the hallmark of the State.

In the Philippines, freedom of the press is a right protected by no less than the
Constitution. At the very core of the right is the liberty to discuss publicly and truthfully all
matters of public interest without prior censorship or subsequent punishment. It signifies the
freedom of a person to communicate with other members of the body politic.

It was in this liberal spirit that the Legislature enacted Republic Act No. 53 in 1946.
The Act exempted the publisher, editor, columnist, or duly accredited reporter of any
newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation from being 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

As in the case of anything good, Republic Act No. 53 had already outgrown its
usefulness, so to speak. It would have been a very good law if only it anticipated the growth
and development of mass media. Unfortunately, only members of the print media are
covered under its provisions

It is beyond doubt that included within the concept of the "press" are such vehicles of
‘communications as radio, television and printed publications. Republic Act No. 53, therefore,
failed to cope with the exigencies of modernization. in view of the foregoing, early passage
Of this bill is earnestly sought

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

Mi

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, Jf >


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No, 1629

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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 53, as amended, is hereby further
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
Teport 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 LEGITIMATE
PRINT, BROADCAST, INTERNET, OR WIRE SERVICE
ORGANIZATION, STATION OR NETWORK, 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 GATHERING,
WRITING, EDITING OF, OR COMMENTING ON THE NEWS FOR
MASS CIRCULATION OR BROADCAST CANNOT BE
COMPELLED TO REVEAL THE SOURCE OF ANY NEWS ITEM,
NEWS REPORT OR INFORMATION APPEARING OR BEING
REPORTED, DISSEMINATED OR COMMENTED ON IN SAID
MEDIA, WHICH WAS RELAYED 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. Insert a new section 2 after Section 1 of RA 53, as amended, to read as
follows:

“SEC. 2. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT, A DULY ACCREDITED
JOURNALIST OR PRACTITIONER OF ANY LEGITIMATE PRINT,
BROADCAST, INTERNET, OR WIRE SERVICE ORGANIZATION,
STATION OR NETWORK, IS ONE WHO IS ACCREDITED WITH
ANY REPUTABLE ASSOCIATION OF MEDIA PERSONS SUCH
AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION
AGENCY — PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS
OFFICE (PIA - PCOO), THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB (NPC),
THE NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE
PHILIPPINES (NUJP), AND THE KAPISANIAN NG MGA
BRODKASTER NIG PILIPINAS (KBP), AND/OR ONE WHO IS A
REGULAR EMPLOYEE OF A LEGITIMATE PRINT,
BROADCAST INTERNET, OR. WIRE —_ SERVICE
ORGANIZATION,. STATION OR NETWORK, PROVIDED, THAT
ANY JOURNALIST ENGAGED BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA
COMPANY SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE AN ACCREDITED
JOURNALIST.”

SEC. 3. Any law, decree, ordinance or rule and regulation inconsistent with or
contrary to the provisions of this Act is hereby amended or repealed

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette and/or in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation

Approved,