QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 1477)
Republic Act No. 1477 (June 15, 1956) amends Section 1 of Republic Act No. 53. The amendment refines the circumstances under which a publisher, editor, columnist, or duly accredited reporter may be compelled to reveal a confidential news source.
The protected persons are the publisher, editor, columnist, or a duly accredited reporter of any newspaper, magazine, or periodical of general circulation.
The protection covers the source of any news report or information that was related in confidence to the publisher, editor, columnist, or duly accredited reporter.
As a general rule, the protected person cannot be compelled to reveal the source of confidential news or information appearing in the publication.
No. The law explicitly provides that the protection is “without prejudice to his liability under the civil and criminal laws.”
The exception applies only if the court or a House or committee of Congress finds that the revelation is demanded by the security of the State.
The determination must be made by (1) the court, or (2) a House or committee of Congress.
The law uses the term “security of the State” as the justification.
It must be shown that (1) the information/news report was related in confidence to the protected person and (2) the court or a House/committee of Congress finds that disclosure is demanded by the security of the State.
Yes. The protection applies to any newspaper, magazine, or periodical of general circulation.
A reporter must be “duly accredited” to be covered under the protection.
The confidential source protection applies to sources of news report or information that appears in the publication of general circulation.
The law specifically bars compulsion to reveal the source of confidential information; it does not, by its text, exempt the journalist from accountability for the content under civil or criminal laws.
No. The amended Section 1 requires a finding by the court that revelation is demanded by the security of the State.
Section 2 states that the act shall take effect upon its approval.
The statute provides a privilege-like protection for confidential sources but limits compulsion to a narrow exception (“security of the State”) and reserves civil/criminal liability, showing a balance between confidentiality and state security interests.