The Probe Media Foundation Inc. (PMFI) and TrustLaw, through the Thomson Reuters Foundation, with support from the British Embassy Manila released the Guide to Criminal Defamation in Southeast Asia. The guide provides a comprehensive overview of existing defamation laws across seven countries: Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
SyCipLaw served as the coordinating law firm and provided pro bono legal research for the Philippine chapter of the guide. The SyCipLaw lawyers who worked on the development of the guide are Ricardo Jesus E. Gutierrez, partner, Javierose M. Ramirez and Christopher A. Capulong, senior associates, and Jon Ericson T. Ledesma, associate. Other law firms that contributed to the guide include Agran Vijandran and DFDL.
The publication aims to guide and support journalists, media practitioners, and media outlets in their critical reporting, equip them to continue their vital work without fear of reprisal, and empower them to protect strong, free, and independent media.
The Guide to Criminal Defamation in Southeast Asia is available online via PMFI and Thomson Reuters Foundation.