To President Megawati

To President Megawati

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) is
deeply concerned over government efforts to restrict journalists'
coverage of the continuing conflict in Aceh and the rising cases
of repression on the island.

According to our information, Presidential Decree No. 43/2003
restricts foreign journalists to the major cities, unless
otherwise accompanied by a military escort, and requires them to
report their movements to military commanders in every place they
cover. If journalists do not comply with these new rules they can
be prosecuted and banned from reporting in Aceh, and removed from
Aceh within 24 hours.

This is tantamount to prior restraint on the Press. Military
escorts would hamper a journalist's task to get a total picture
of the conflict, tapping as many voices as possible. Likewise,
the presence of troops would just increase the physical dangers
journalists already face in a conflict zone.

We also understand that foreign journalists must now register
with the Foreign Ministry before they can obtain a permit from
the Directorate General for Immigration and the Ministry of
Justice before they can enter Aceh. In addition, we understand
that there have been long delays in issuing the letters of
recommendation that are required for foreign media to report in
Aceh.

The NUJP also protests the new, oppressive rules covering
local media, including the need for a permit before working for
foreign media organizations, and the ban on sharing video footage
with the foreign press.

INDAY ESPINA-VARONA, Vice chairperson, NUJP, Manila