Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 307)
The primary objective of Republic Act No. 11458 is to expand the coverage of exemptions from revealing the source of published news or information obtained in confidence by including journalists from broadcast and news agencies, amending Section 1 of Republic Act No. 53 as amended by Republic Act No. 1477.
The exemption covers any publisher, owner, or duly recognized or accredited journalist, writer, reporter, contributor, opinion writer, editor, columnist, manager, or media practitioner involved in the writing, editing, production, and dissemination of news for mass circulation through any print, broadcast, wire service organization, or electronic mass media, including cable TV and its variants.
Generally, no. Media practitioners covered by RA 11458 cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news item, report, or information provided in confidence unless the court, the House of Representatives, the Senate, or any committee of Congress finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State.
No. The exemption provided in RA 11458 is without prejudice to the journalist's liability under civil and criminal laws.
The law includes print media, broadcast media, wire service organizations, electronic mass media, and cable TV and its variants.
No, it is not absolute. The exemption may be overridden if the court or Congress finds that revealing the source is necessary for the security of the State.
Section 1 of Republic Act No. 53, as amended by Republic Act No. 1477, is further amended by RA 11458.
RA 11458 took effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, or regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of RA 11458 are repealed or modified accordingly.
RA 11458 was approved and signed into law by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on August 30, 2019.