Title
Supreme Court
Confidential news source protection law
Law
Republic Act No. 1477
Decision Date
Jun 15, 1956
An amendment to Republic Act No. 53 exempts publishers, editors, columnists, or reporters from revealing confidential sources of news or information, subject to civil and criminal laws, unless demanded by the security of the State.

Law Summary

Scope of the Protection

  • The protection applies specifically to news reports or information appearing in the publication.
  • The source protected is only that which was related to the media personnel confidentially.

Limitations and Exceptions

  • The privilege is without prejudice to the media personnel's liability under civil and criminal laws; this means that protection from revealing sources does not exempt them from legal responsibility for content.
  • The court or a House or committee of Congress may compel disclosure if it finds that revealing the source is demanded by the security of the State.

Legal Procedures and Authority

  • Compulsion to reveal sources may only occur through judicial or congressional authority.
  • The determination to compel disclosure is based on a finding that it is necessary for State security.

Effective Date

  • The Act took effect immediately upon approval, ensuring the amended protection is enforceable from that date onward.

Analyze Cases Smarter, Faster
Jur is a legal research platform serving the Philippines with case digests and jurisprudence resources. AI digests are study aids only—use responsibly.