FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
251 
INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR ROUS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The rapid changes in technology leave in their wake the obsolescence of laws passed 
prior to the information revolution of the latter half of the 20" Century, and this is 
something Congress must remedy. 
One such crucial change that has occurred is in the nature of mass media. In 
connection to this, Republic Act No. 52, otherwise known as the Sotto Press Freedom Law of 
1946, which exempts publishers, editors, columnists and reporters of any newspaper, 
magazine or periodical of general circulation from being compelled to reveal the source of 
any news report or information they gathered and published in confidence, unless the courts 
or Congress finds that the revelation of such is crucial to national security. 
The law was passed in 1946, when the broadcast industry was still a fledgling 
institution and when internet media was not yet part of the people's imagination. That said, 
the law fails to protect broadcast and internet media practitioners and wire services, as the 
letter of the law only includes the print media in such protection. 
While the principle of the Sotto Law remains sound after over 60 years, it failed to 
anticipate technological developments in mass media, and scope has become far too limited 
for the comfort of journalists, who constantly have to face the ire of their news subjects, 
especially when these subjects' anomalous dealings are made known or questioned. The 
proposed amendments to the law would help ensure the protection of journalists and their 
sources in this regard. 
It has been said many times that a free press is crucial in building a democracy., In 
fact, the 1987 Constitution heralds it as a protected right. However, the concept of a free 
press has been attacked in recent times. Media practitioners have been subject to threats and 
harassment, while many have even been murdered in the line of duty. The approval of this 
measure-as 
well as a proposed measure to limit the venue of filing libel suits-could 
be a 
small way by which Congress may help alleviate the plight of journalists. 
To further advance the cause of press freedom, and other matters related to it, 
approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
1 
INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR ROXAS 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'AN ACT 
TO EXEMPT THE PUBLISHER, EDITOR OR REPORTER OF ANY PUBLlCATlON FROM 
REVEALING THE SOURCE OF PUBLISHED NEWS OR INFORMATION OBTAINED IN 
CONFIDENCE BY INCLUDING WITHIN ITS COVERAGE JOURNALIST FORM 
BROADCAST NEWS AGENCIES, INTERNET PUBLICATIONS AND WIRE SERVICES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
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- 
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 OR 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, 
- 1 -  


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
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 
COMMITEES finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of 
the State.” 
11 
12 
SEC. 2.Repealing Clause. -All laws, executive orders or issuances, or any part thereof, 
which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordinglj.. 
13 
14 
SEC. 3.Effertivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at least 
one (1) newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
- 2 -