Philippines: Art exhibit deemed offensive censored

12 Aug 11 | Index Index, minipost

Officials at the state-run Cultural Centre of the Philippines shut an art exhibit on Tuesday after it provoked heated debate, threats and hate mail for combining Christian symbols with phallic objects. The decision by the centre’s board of directors came a day after former first lady and art patron Imelda Marcos joined politicians and Roman Catholic church leaders in denouncing the exhibit. The board said it made the decision because of “an increasing number of threats to persons and property,” including the artists and staff. It said the threats increased after critics vandalised an installation by removing a wooden penis from a poster depicting Jesus Christ.

Philippines: Radio journalist killed

13 Jun 11 | Index Index, minipost

A radio journalist for DWEB, a private station based in Manila, was shot twice in the back on his way to work. Romeo Olea’s wife said that he had received death threats and police believe the murder is linked to Olea’s recent stories criticising a city government in the east Philippines.

Philippines: Reporter shot dead

25 Jan 11 | Index Index, minipost

Gerardo “Gerry” Ortega, a broadcaster with Radio Mindanao Network was shot dead on Monday 24 January in Puerto Princesa city. His lawyer has claimed that his murder was related to his work. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 99 journalists have been killed in Philippines since 1992, with one of the worst massacres taking place in the Maguindanao province of Phillipines in 2009 when 32 media workers were murdered.