Philippine media say new cyber law threatens press

Some of 357 Taiwanese and Chinese nationals wait to be processed in a gymnasium at the Philippine National Police’ Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna province south of Manila, Philippines after being rounded up in a police operation Thursday Aug. 23, 2012. The Taiwanese and mainland Chinese were rounded up allegedly for their involvement in cybercrime in the country. AP/Bullit Marquez

MANILA, Philippines— Philippine media groups say a new cybercrime law could be used to curb press freedom in the country.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines issued separate statements Tuesday that also criticized the government for passing the law while delaying a proposed freedom of information act.

They say the law signed last week by President Benigno Aquino III includes libel as a cybercrime despite efforts by media freedom advocates to decriminalize the offense.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said bloggers and others in social media should remember that freedom is always accompanied by responsibility.