The History of Press freedom in the Philippines
Press freedom is guaranteed in the Constitution of the Philippines, where it is enshrined in Article III, Section 4.
Although the Philippines is said to have one of the freest press in Asia, Philippine press and news media, from the campus, local, and national levels have suffered censorship, prosecution, intimidation, and attacks, particularly during Martial Law. Currently, the Philippines is ranked 140th in the 2011 Reporters Withour Borders' Press Freedom Index and third in Committee to Protect Journalists' (CPJ) Press Freedom Index.
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Spanish colonial rule
Philippine press started with the establishment of the Spanish Del Superior Govierno, known as the first newspaper published in the Philippines. Like subsequent newspapers published by Spaniards, Del Superior Govierno catered to the Philippine-based Spanish elite and reported about government affairs and religion.
Nationalist newspapers critical to the Spanish regime were published in Europe, such as La Solidaridad, or underground, such as the Kalayaan and La Independenca. However, these newspapers were not legally and openly allowed to be circulated in the Philippines. Nonetheless, these newspapers contributed to the nationalist ferment and the expansion of thePhilippine revolution against Spanish rule.
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American colonial rule
The modern newspaper in the Philippines was pioneered by the American colonial regime. Two currently existing newspapers--The Manila Times and the Manila Bulletin--were established during this regime. Though the Americans introduced the concept of democracy and free press to the Philippines, their colonial regime was said to have suppressed nationalist papers such as El Nuevo Dia, El Renacimiento, and Sakdal.
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Japanese colonial rule