The Filipino Freelance Journalists’ Guild (FFJ) stands firmly with our member Regine Cabato and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), following the targeted online attacks launched against them by the Chinese Embassy in Manila.
Regine’s report documenting how pro-China narratives spread through partisan social media influencers is public interest journalism — the kind that Filipinos deserve and that the West Philippine Sea beat urgently needs. The coordinated harassment she faced after publication, from late-night Embassy statements to direct inbox attacks amplified by influencers, is clearly intimidation.
Labeling critical reporting as foreign propaganda is a silencing tactic. It is not an argument and it does not address a single fact in Regine’s story.
PCIJ has been a consistent ally to freelance journalists in this country for opening its platform, its resources, and its bylines to independent reporters. An attack on PCIJ is an attack on that space and the broader media community.
Freelance journalists covering the West Philippine Sea already work with little institutional protection. Targeted pressure from a foreign government makes an already difficult beat more dangerous. We will not let that go unremarked.
We call on press freedom organizations, media groups, and fellow journalists to publicly stand with Regine and PCIJ and to push back against any effort to normalize the intimidation of journalists doing their jobs.
