Film on media killings to raise funds for journalists

MANILA, July 16, 2011—A film highlighting the spate of media killings in the country is set to hit the movie theatres soon.

The film was produced as a special project of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) aimed to raise funds to help its members.

The NUJP is a nationwide organization of Filipino journalists and has around 1,000 members in around 60 chapters in Manila and the provinces.

The movie titled “DEADLINE (The Reign of Impunity),” is about media killings in the Philippines, highlighted by the November 23, 2009 massacre in Maguindanao.

A special screening of the film is slated on July 22, 2011, 7PM at SM North EDSA Cinema 10. The film was directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Bonifacio Ilagan.

The project is part of the group’s advocacy to defend press freedom and protect journalists in the country.

The spate of media killings has earned the Philippines the shady distinction of one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work, second only to Iraq.

NUJP hopes that the film will raise awareness among the people on state of the press in the country today.

The organization aims “to promote and protect the economic interest and social well-being of the working press, upgrade professional skills, uplift the standards of journalistic ethics, implement welfare programs for its members, and develop solidarity among all journalists.” (CBCPNews)