Law Summary
Key Provision on Non-Disclosure of Sources
- Media practitioners cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news item, report, or information obtained in confidence and disseminated through their media platforms.
- This protection safeguards confidential sources and supports press freedom in the gathering and reporting of news.
Exception: Security of the State
- The only exception to the non-disclosure rule is when a demand for revelation is made by a court, the House of Representatives, the Senate, or any committee of Congress.
- Such demand must be justified on the grounds of the security of the State.
Liability Clauses
- The provision does not exempt media practitioners from liability under civil or criminal laws.
- They remain accountable for content that may breach existing legal provisions despite the protection granted regarding source confidentiality.
Repealing Clause
- All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, or regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
Legislative Process
- The Act is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1255 and House Bill No. 684.
- It was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on June 3, 2019, and approved by the President on August 30, 2019.