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Citing UN expert's remark, groups demand unblocking of websites

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ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Alternative media outlets and progressive groups this week demanded that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) revoke its 2022 block order against over 20 websites, invoking a United Nations (UN) expert&#x27;s findings.</p><div><a href="https://news-web.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/01/29/24/unblock-the-truth">Groups urge NTC to unblock alternative news sites</a></div><p>In a letter to NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez, the groups said the website-blocking memorandum must be revoked &quot;[i]n light of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion Irene Khan&#x27;s initial findings and recommendations.</p><div><a href="https://news-web.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/3/groups-urge-marcos-jr-to-heed-call-to-abolish-ntf-elcac-1538">Groups urge Marcos Jr. to heed call to abolish NTF-ELCAC</a></div><p>Signatories of the letter are BAYAN Secretary General Raymond Palatino, UMA Chairperson Ariel Casilao, ILPS Secretary General Liza Maza, AMIHAN Chairperson Zenaida Soriano, Pinoy Weekly Editor-in-Chief Marc Lino Abila, and Bulatlat Editor-in-Chief Ronalyn Olea.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/13/22/court-denies-bulatlat-tro-plea-vs-order-to-block-websites">Quezon City court denies Bulatlat’s TRO plea vs NTC order to block websites</a></div><p>In 2022, the NTC blocked 26 websites of progressive media outlets and organizations following the request of he National Security Council (NSC), which cited alleged links to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).</p><p>But during her weeks-long visit in the Philippines, UN&#x27;s Khan found that &quot;the blocking of websites is a direct form of censorship, which requires a high degree of scrutiny.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/08/22/bulatlat-asks-court-to-stop-ntc-order-blocking-its-website">Bulatlat asks court to nullify NTC order blocking its website</a></div><p>The groups said the government failed to apply &quot;international standards of legality, necessity and proportionality&quot; in blocking the websites.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/23/22/bulatlat-says-no-due-process-before-blocking-of-website">Bulatlat says no due process before blocking of website, eyes legal action</a></div><p>They said there was no due process in the government&#x27;s decision to block the websites.</p><p>&quot;No evidence was ever provided to back the request of the National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon to justify blocking of the</p><p>websites,&quot; they also said.</p><p>&quot;We call on the Philippine government to stop violating the people&#x27;s right to free expression and opinion,&quot; they added.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/03/22/bulatlat-presents-more-witnesses-unable-to-access-website">&#x27;Still censored&#x27;: Bulatlat presents more witnesses unable to access website after NTC blocking order</a></div><p>During her visit, Khan also recommended the abolition of the government&#x27;s anti-insurgency task force, known for its red-tagging, calling the program &quot;outdated.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/2/another-un-expert-recommends-ntf-elcac-abolition-1513">Another UN expert recommends NTF-ELCAC abolition</a></div><p>RELATED VIDEO</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cgmMYS4kps4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The groups said the government failed to apply 'international standards of legality, necessity and proportionality' in blocking the websites.</p>

The groups said the government failed to apply 'international standards of legality, necessity and proportionality' in blocking the websites.