OZAMIZ CITY: The full week
stretch will bring journalists commemorating the infamous Maguindanao massacre with
media groups mapping up a number of activities to mark the fifth anniversary of
the crime.
The Maguindanao
massacre left 58 people killed – 32 of them journalists.
The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is continuing with its online global campaign to
end impunity against journalists that will culminate on Sunday, Nov. 23, the
day of the massacre.
The National Union of
Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has announced a list of activities, like conducting
a mission in the cities of General Santos and Manila from Nov. 21 to 24.
On Nov. 21, NUJP will
accompany the families of the victims in visiting the massacre site while on
Sunday, Nov. 23, advertising firm BBDO Guerrero will lead the unveiling of an
installation art work commemorating the massacre at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani.
Also on Nov. 23, NUJP
will join the Milyong Tanglaw para sa Katarungan at the EDSA Shrine at 5:00 in
the afternoon and a similar candle-lighting activity will be held by its
chapters around Metro Manila.
The NUJP also launched
a public service ad campaign in coordination with the Kapisanan ng mga
Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and the Philippine Press Institute (PPI).
The ads will be aired
on all TV and radio stations nationwide and published in major and local
newspapers along with a social media campaign with the line: "58 dead. 5
years. 0 justice. Ampatuan Massacre 11.23.2009."
Members and press
freedom advocates who use the icon in their profile picture from Nov. 17 to 23 joins
in solidarity and serve as a reminder of the most gruesome attack on journalists
in history.
The Photojournalists’
Center of the Philippines (PCP) will also commemorate the anniversary by
posting “black photos” in broadsheets and tabloids.
The culminating
activity will be on Nov. 23, known as the “Thunderclap Campaign,” which will be
an online platform to rally people and spread the message in support of a cause
such as the IFI’s campaign.
Violence against
journalists in many countries, the Philippines included, is the chief reason
for making journalism a dangerous profession in the world.
This Nov. 23 is the
fifth year after the Maguindanao Massacre happened but some of the suspects are
still on the loose and not one has been convicted for the murders.