PANALO ang GMA news anchor na si Atom Araullo sa kasong red-tagging na isinampa niya sa SMBI hosts na sina Lorraine Badoy at Jeffrey Celiz.
Sa inilabas na 27-page decision ng Quezo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 306, sinabi nitong inabuso raw ng dalawang host ang kanilang freedom of speech dahil sa pangre-redtag ng mga ito sa mamamahayag pati na rin sa pamilya nito.
Una na kasing pinaratangan si Atom at ang pamilya nito na miyembro umano ng CPP-NPA-NDF.
Dahil sa pagkakapanalo sa kaso, inutusan ng korte sina Badoy at Celiz na magbayad ng P2.080-M dahil sa damages pati na rin sa bayad nito sa abogado.
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“Although the cited case involves the propriety of issuance of a writ of amparo based on allegations of red-tagging, the High Court clearly recognized red-tagging as a harmful practice of harassment as it labels individuals or groups as associated or connected with communism or terrorism without proof or basis.
“By engaging in red-tagging, the defendants deliberately sought to discredit and inflict harm on the plaintiff. Their remarks were aimed at damaging the plaintiff’s reputation and credibility, both as a person and as a journalist by associating him with the CPP-NPA-NDF without proof.
“These labels and remarks went beyond mere editorial opinion or fair commentary and, worse, incited backlash, threats and public hatred toward the plaintiff,” ayon sa desisyon ng korte sa kasong isinampa ni Atom.
Labis naman ang tuwa ng news anchor sa naging desisyon ng korte at sinabing hindi dapat atakihin ang isang tao dahil lamang sa paggawa nito sa kanyang trabaho.
“I am elated by the court’s ruling. Above all, this case opens up a legal option for anyone who has been a victim of red-tagging and harmful disinformation, particularly journalists,” sey ni Atom.
Dagdag pa niya, “It’s not okay to be attacked or harassed simply for simply doing our jobs.”
Samantala, naglabas rin ng pahayag si Badoy sa kanyang Facebook page at iginiit na miyembro talaga ng CPP-NPA-NDF ang ina ni Atom na si Carol Araullo.
“I received the decision of the court awarding Atom Araullo as reparation for wounding his feelings and causing him sleepless nights when I correctly identified his mother, Carol Araullo, as a member of fhe CPP-NPA-NDF,” sabi ni Badoy.
“I am unperturbed by this temporary setback as we had expected this from the very start when we were prevented from presenting our evidence in court because my earlier lawyer Atty Mark Tolentino failed to give my pre trial brief on time,” pagpapatuloy pa niya.
Tinawag naman ni Celiz ang naging desisyon ng korte bilang “miscarriage of justice.”