NUJP hits vulgarity in Mon Tulfo's post vs. Mariz Umali

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) spoke out against online attacks on reporters covering developments on the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte over allegations of crimes against humanity in his administration's war on drugs.

In particular, the NUJP criticized columnist Ramon Tulfo for his statement about GMA Integrated News reporter Mariz Umali, who has been accused by some social media users of calling former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea ''matanda'' or old.

“Tulfo's comment, which, aside from being crass, embarrassing, and unbecoming, may lead to more online harassment of Umali… The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemns Tulfo's comments—made, ironically, on National Women's Month—and reminds him that the profession and society have evolved since the 1970s and 1980s,” the NUJP said in a statement on Friday.

“The comments against Umali—and Tulfo's is just one among many—are reflective of online harassment against journalists and media outlets covering the developments at the ICC,” it added.

Umali clarified on Thursday that she made the statement while she and a stringer were reviewing GMA Integrated News’ exclusive video of Medialdea being taken out of the ICC Detention Center in The Hague on a stretcher.

Medialdea fell ill while he was registering to visit Duterte at the detention center on Tuesday.

“It is obvious that I was misheard. I want to be clear that no disrespect was intended toward Former Executive Secretary Medialdea. I hope this clarification helps set the record straight,” Umali had said.

Commenting on his own post, Tulfo said that, ''No matter what you feel about someone who’s sick, don’t laugh at them. Magbo-boomerang sa iyo ang tawa mo (Your laughter will boomerang on you).''

The NUJP said that while journalists have acknowledged earnest negative feedback and bad faith trolling as “part of the job,” it shouldn’t be normalized.

“Vulgarity and harassment are not normal… Most colleagues have learned to shake these off, but incidents like these should not be normalized,” the NUJP stated.

The group also pointed out the “disconnect” between demanding the rights of a person while throwing threats at another.

Meanwhile, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television—Philippines (IAWRT) also criticized the attacks on female journalists covering the ICC developments in The Hague, Netherlands.

“The online firestorm that followed was laced with misogyny and vitriol… This is a pattern,” the statement read.

“As women journalists, we stand together. This must stop. Harassment is not criticism; it is an attempt to silence. And a press under attack is a democracy at risk. Their voices matter. Their work matters. And their safety must be protected,” it added.  — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News