On Air Highlights
Philippines Supreme Court Justice sues journalist for libel
30 August 2011
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A respected Filipina journalist goes on trial next month for allegedly defaming a Supreme Court Justice.
The Philippines criminal libel laws have long been used by politicians and business figures as an attempt to prevent critical reporting.
But it’s the first time a Judge in the Philippines has filed such a case.
Supreme Court Justice Presbitero Velasco is suing Marites Vitug (Mah-ree-tus Vee-toog) after she wrote that he had helped his son in last year’s congressional elections.
If found guilty she faces jail or a hefty fine and the Philippines media is concerned about whether Marites Vitug will be able to get a fair trial …
Correspondent: Claudette Werden
Speaker: Marites Vitug, founding editor of Philippines current affairs magazine NewsBreak
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