Jailed and red-tagged Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio is among this year’s 29 nominees for the Reporters Without Borders (Rapporteurs Sans Frontieres, RSF) Prize.
Cumpio is nominated in the Courage Prize category, awarded to journalists, media or NGOs who demonstrate “courage in the practice, defense or promotion of journalism in a hostile environment and despite threats to their freedom or safety.”
In jail for more than five years already, the Tacloban City-based Cumpio “courageously continued to investigate alleged police and military abuses despite repeated intimidation,” the RSF said.
She is among six journalists and media outfits nominated for the prestigious award.
RSF said Cumpio’s case “is a grim example of the practice of ‘red-tagging’ in the Philippines, in which journalists who investigate sensitive government issues are branded as ‘subversives’ or even ‘terrorists.’”
Cumpio was executive director of alternative media outlet Eastern Vista and anchor of radio program Lingganay Han Kamatuoran (Bells of Truth) produced by a church organization when arrested in February 2020.
She was 21 years old at the time of her arrest for charges of “illegal possession of firearms and explosives.”
She was charged with the additional of terrorism financing. She also faces a double murder charge in Northern Samar.
RSF said the charges are “clearly designed to silence her” and are “trumped-up.”
Cumpio is a member of the People’s Alternative Media Network (Altermidya) and the Philippine Chapter of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television.
The last Filipino journalist to have been honored by the RSF was Altermidya board vice chairperson Inday Espina-Varona in 2018.
This year’s shortlist comprises 15 journalists, nine media outlets and five photojournalists from 18 countries.
“All have made significant contributions to the defence and promotion of press freedom worldwide,” RSF said.
Aside from the Courage Prize, other categories are the Impact Prize, the Independence Prize, the Mohamed Maïga Prize for African Investigative Journalism and the Lucas Dolega-SAIF Photo Prize.
The thirty-third edition of the RSF Press Freedom Awards will be a special edition, held as part of the RSF Festival marking the NGO’s 40th anniversary at the Gaîté Lyrique cultural centre in Paris on November 15, 2025.
This year’s shortlist comprises 15 journalists, nine media outlets and five photojournalists from 18 countries. | via KODAO PRODUCTIONS
