Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11458)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 11458 is to expand the coverage of exemptions from revealing the source of published news or information obtained in confidence to include journalists from broadcast and news agencies, amending the original provisions of Republic Act No. 53.
Publishers, owners, or duly recognized or accredited journalists, writers, reporters, contributors, opinion writers, editors, columnists, managers, and media practitioners involved in writing, editing, production, and dissemination of news for mass circulation in print, broadcast, wire service, or electronic mass media including cable TV and its variants.
Yes. The law provides that the court, the House of Representatives, the Senate, or any committee of Congress may compel the revelation of sources if it finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State.
No. The exemption from revealing sources is without prejudice to the media practitioners' liability under civil and criminal laws.
The law covers print media, broadcast media, wire service organizations, electronic mass media, including cable TV and its variants.
No. The law expands protection to broadcast journalism and all other forms of mass media including electronic and cable TV.
A court, the House of Representatives, the Senate, or any committee of Congress must find that revealing the source is necessary for the security of the State before compelling the source to be revealed.
The law took effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules or regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of Republic Act No. 11458 are repealed or modified accordingly.
The law specifies protection for duly recognized or accredited journalists and media practitioners involved in news production and dissemination.