Content analysis of Supreme Court rulings on the limitation of the freedom of expression in mass media of the Philippines from 2010 to 2015

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze contents of Supreme Court rulings on the limitation of the freedom of expression in mass media of the Philippines. It aimed to develop an explanatory theory on the latest stand of the Supreme Court regarding the subject matter as well as explore the possible consequences of the same on current media practices, among other things. The study was conducted on May 2016 to May 2017. The subjects of the study are the identified Supreme Court Decisions relative to the Limitation of the Freedom of Expression in Mass Media of the Philippines from 2010 to 2015. These were selected from the entire number of decisions issued by the Supreme Court during those years. In all, from 2010 to 2015, Thirteen (13) Supreme Court Decisions were determined to be related to the study. The researcher used content analysis in analyzing the Supreme Court rulings. Study results revealed that (1) the Supreme Court’s Decisions on the limitation of the freedom of expression in the mass media of the Philippines is conservatively prudent gearing towards the protection of the fundamental freedoms of speech and of expression, (2) in certain cases, these constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms must also yield where higher public interests are affected and (3) there is no hard and fast rule in invoking the fundamental freedoms against expressing views concerning the Supreme Court itself.