Title
Exempting Journalists from Revealing Confidential Sources
Law
Republic Act No. 11458
Decision Date
Aug 30, 2019
The law expands protections for journalists and media practitioners by exempting them from disclosing confidential sources of information, unless mandated by national security concerns.
A

Scope and Limitations of Source Confidentiality

  • Protected media practitioners cannot be compelled to disclose the sources of news items or information received in confidence.
  • The protection applies regardless of the form of media, covering print, broadcast, wire, and electronic media.
  • However, this protection is subject to override if the court, the House of Representatives, the Senate, or any congressional committee determines that revealing the source is necessary for state security.
  • The exemption is without prejudice to the media practitioners' liability under civil and criminal laws, meaning they remain accountable for their actions despite this privilege.

Repealing Clause

  • All existing laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, regulations, or parts thereof that conflict with or are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity of the Law

  • The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication either in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

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