THE National Press Club and the head of the Philippine Sportswriters Association condemned the Philippine National Volleyball Federation's decision to revoke SPIN.ph's accreditation over its criticism of the hosting of the FIVB World Men's Volleyball Championship.
The NPC and PSA president Francis Ochoa said in separate statements that the revocation was an attack on freedom of the press. The two groups are the country's oldest media organizations,
SPIN.ph, a sports website which has been in existence for 13 years, has repeatedly raised poor attendance at the tournament, criticised the staggering cost of the mounting event and sought government accounting of the massive expenditure in hosting the championship, estimated to be more than P2 billion.
READ Tulfo slams PNVF for 'censorship' after revoking SPIN.ph credentials
By publishing articles over these issues, Suzara revoked the accreditation of SPIN. ph reporter JM Garcia and also of its photographer Mark Cristino. Cristino was denied entry at the Mall of Asia Arena when he arrived to cover the final day of round of 16 action last Tuesday. and was told their credentials had been "deactivated."
Suzara had reported;y been complaining about what he described as "negative" reporting by SPIN. ph although other media outlets have raised the same issues but he chose not to take action against them.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo , who had earlier delivered a privilege speech at the Senate floor lambasting the PNVB's connection with an international gambling site, joined the NPC and the PSA in expressing his solidarity with news organizations, calling the ban a 'blatant attempt at censorship.'
Tulfo, a former journalist and television host, also raised the issue of exhorbitant ticket prices and poor attendance at the games during his Senate speech last Tuesday.
PSA president Francis Ochoa, who is sports editor of the Inquirer , deplored the ban as censorship.
"Censorship of any form has no space in a democracy, especially not in sports, where the principles of fair play always prevail," said Ochoa in a statement.
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"Efforts to silence dissent, hide issues, or control the narrative threaten the very spirit of fair play and open discourse," the NPC said in a statement posted on its social media pages.
It was also revealed that a reporter of Rappler Sports was threatened with a ban when the media outlet shared on its social media pages a photo of empty seats inside one of the venues hosting FIVB Worlds games.
Ochoa said the PSA will not let the incident pass without 'proactive' action.
"The incident will be put under further review. Still, as PSA president, let me strenuously and absolutely make it clear that any attempt to silence the press over critical, yet credible, reporting cannot be tolerated by the PSA," Ochoa said.
In a statement, the NPC said: "The NPC also views this as a blatant attempt to dictate the narrative by insisting that nothing negative should be reported about the event. This blatant suppression of journalistic integrity is unacceptable."
Here's the NPC statement in full:
"The National Press Club (NPC) of the Philippines unequivocally condemns the attempt of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc., under the leadership of Mr. Ramon “Tats” Suzara, at media censorship in the ongoing 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.
"The PNVF, without warning, revoked the accreditation of SPIN.ph and barred their access to the tournament and reportedly also warned Rappler and other covering media against reporting anything negative connected to the event - actions which clearly undermine the foundational principles of press freedom and transparency. These not only restrict the public’s right to access comprehensive and unbiased reporting but also sets a dangerous precedent for censorship within the realm of sports and beyond.
"The NPC also views this as a blatant attempt to dictate the narrative by insisting that nothing negative should be reported about the event. This blatant suppression of journalistic integrity is unacceptable. The media serves as a vital watchdog, holding organizations accountable and ensuring that the truth prevails above any attempt at manipulation or cover-up.
"Censorship, especially in a sporting event that garners international attention, damages the credibility of the organizers and compromises the integrity of the competition. It is imperative that media outlets operate freely and responsibly, providing honest and balanced coverage. Efforts to silence dissent, hide issues, or control the narrative threaten the very spirit of fair play and open discourse.
"This is not the first time that Mr. Suzara tried to wield power against the Fourth Estate. He, following the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, filed libel and cyberlibel charges against the Manila Times and Daily Tribune for what he perceived as biased and derogatory reportage – false accusations which were dismissed by the courts.
"The NPC calls on the PNVF, FIVB, and all involved stakeholders to respect journalists’ rights, uphold transparency, and prioritize the integrity of the sport over any attempts at suppression. The world deserves a transparent, honest, and fearless press — free from intimidation and censorship. Anything less undermines the core values of sportsmanship, democracy, and free expression."
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