History
The formation of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) addresses one of the critical concerns confronting the Philippines after People Power toppled theObjectives
* To protect and strengthen the press as a pillar of democracy * To establish a framework of responsibility and ethics in the practice of the press * To raise levels of competence for coverage of special areas of news * To promote journalistic excellence * To engage different sectors of society in the growth of a quality press in the Philippines * To promote media literacy and create awareness on the public's need for informationProgram of activities
Media monitoring
With content analysis, CMFR evaluates media coverage of major issues and events, such as elections and corruption. Based on its findings, CMFR has recommended measures to improve media performance. In addition to special projects based on content analysis, ''PJR Reports'' includes case studies of media performance.''PJR'' and ''PJR Reports''
The ''Philippine Journalism Review'' (PJR), which was previously in magazine form, was revived in 2007 as a refereed journal for students and professors of journalism. ''PJR Reports'' is its monthly sister publication addressed to journalism professionals. ''PJR Reports'' is not just a publication; it is the result of a continuing monitoring activity of how the press covers and reports events and issues. ''PJR Reports'' meets the need for the continuing education of journalists. Sent to over 500 journalists nationwide, ''PJR Reports'' also serves as a regular forum for the discussion of the issues and problems of the news media in the Philippines. ''PJR Reports'' serves as a reference for journalism faculty and students in universities and colleges. ''PJR Reports'' was first released as a quarterly and then as a bimonthly journal. It is now released monthly to make the material more accessible to the public.Jaime V. Ongpin Awards for Excellence in Journalism (JVOAEJ)
CMFR holds the Jaime V. Ongpin Awards for Excellence in Journalism (JVOAEJ) yearly to promote the practice of investigative journalism and explanatory reporting. These involve basic building blocks for any kind of reporting: research, inquiry, and corroboration to ensure the validity of one's findings. CMFR serves as the technical and administrative secretariat of the awards. In 1995, the program initiated the first Jaime V. Ongpin Journalism Seminar on Investigative Journalism in order to broaden public interest and support for the development of investigative journalism. The seminar, now known as the Jaime V. Ongpin Journalism Seminar, invites journalism students and faculty from different schools to interact with a panel of finalists who discuss their articles and views on journalism.Freedom Watch
CMFR monitors attacks against and threats to press freedom in the Philippines. It maintains a database of journalists killed in the line of duty and trains a national network of journalists to report on assaults against the press. Correspondents provide updates on unsolved cases of journalists killed and issue calls for action when necessary. CMFR serves as a clearing house for information to international groups. CMFR forwards alerts and reports on the state of press freedom in the Philippines to theJournalism Asia
A yearly publication that reports on the state of the press and the issues affecting media in Asia. Contributors are media practitioners from the region who gather for a conference (the Journalism Asia Forum) to discuss selected issues that will be taken up in the magazine.Books and other publications
CMFR also publishes reports and books on major topics of media interest and performance such as media and gender issues and media and governance.Books
* Libel as Politics * Philippine Press Freedom Report 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 * The CMFR Monitor: News Media Coverage of the 2010 Campaign and Elections * The CMFR Monitor: News Media Coverage of the 2007 National Elections * Philippine Press Freedom Primer: Quick Answers to your Questions * The CMFR Ethics Manual: A Values Approach to News Media Ethics * Limited Protection: Press Freedom and Philippine Law * Citizens’ Media Monitor: A Report on the Campaign and Elections Coverage in the Philippines 2004 * Journalist Killings under the Arroyo administration 2001-2006: A Study by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility * Prize Journalism: A collection of Jaime V. Ongpin Award Winners * Press Freedom in the Philippines: A Study in Contradictions * The Media and Peace Reporting * Five Source Books on Women: *# Understanding Women and Politics *# Understanding Population and Development *# Understanding Women, Work, and Migration *# Understanding Violence Against Women *# Understanding Reproductive Health * Peace Process and MediaManuals
* Peace Journalism Training Manual * Monitoring Media Coverage of Elections: A Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) Guidebook * Media in Court: The Criminal Justice System Guidebook for Reporters * Reporting Public Policy: A Manual for Journalists * Journalists’ Safety: Involving Media OwnersConference Reports
* The Manila Conference on Impunity and Press Freedom * Access to Economic Information * Corruption in Media: A Multi-Sectoral Perspective * Freedom of Economic Information for Effective Governance * News Media and Civil Society * The Road Beyond EDSA: The Post-Estrada Reform Agenda * Media and Local Government: Corruption and Access to Information CMFR has developed training modules in the following areas: * Campus Journalism * Media and Civil Society * Media and Corruption * Media and Disaster * Media and Economic Information * Media and Judiciary * Media and Peace * Media and Public Policy * Media and WomenPress Councils
CMFR has been working with partners in the press, academe, and non-governmental organizations to plan, build, and launch local press councils since 2001. To date, it has helped establish the Cebu Citizens-Press Council and regional press councils inNetwork
CMFR is a founding member of the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ) and currently serves as its secretariat. It is also a founding member of theAwards
CMFR is a recipient of the Catholic Mass Media Award for Public Service in 1993 and the Joaquin "Chino" Roces Award in 1998. In 2005, CMFR won second prize in the ethics and values category of the Templeton Freedom Awards of the United States-based Atlas Economic Research Foundation.Officers
* Executive Director ** Melinda Quintos de Jesus * Deputy Director/PJR Reports Editor ** Luis V. Teodoro * Board of Directors ** Dr. Jose Abueva ** Fr.Recent events
On January 28, 2008, 30 journalists filed a P10-million media class suit (by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), and Philippine Press Institute (PPI). Executive Judge Winlove Dumayas of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 59 granted the petition for a temporary restraining order, effective for 72 hours.See also
* Reporters Without Borders *References
External links