Broadcaster Atom Araullo Files Civil Suit for P2.07M Damages Over Red-Tagging
Renowned broadcaster Atom Araullo has filed a civil suit seeking P2.07 million in damages against former Palace official Lorraine Badoy and former New People’s Army (NPA) member Jeffrey Celiz. Araullo accuses them of red-tagging, which he claims has caused significant harm to his personal and professional life.
According to Araullo’s legal team from the Movement Against Disinformation (MAD), the respondents made defamatory statements on their TV program and in an online video interview. These statements, which branded Araullo as the spawn of CPP Central Committee leaders and accused him of being a member of the communist party, have tarnished his reputation and caused him emotional and financial distress.
The statements made by Badoy and Celiz have generated public hatred towards Araullo and his mother, as evident from the comments and reactions posted on the videos. These videos are still being shared on various social media platforms, further perpetuating the harm caused to Araullo’s reputation.
Araullo’s lawyer filed the complaint based on several articles of the Civil Code, which aim to safeguard personal rights, human relations, and dignity. As a prominent journalist and documentary filmmaker, Araullo’s reputation and credibility have been severely affected by these baseless and malicious attacks. The lawsuit seeks moral and exemplary damages, as well as attorney’s fees and the cost of litigation against the respondents.
This is not the first time Lorraine Badoy has faced legal repercussions for her actions. In October 2022, the Supreme Court ordered her to answer a petition filed by law deans and lawyers. They sought to cite her for indirect contempt after she red-tagged a Manila trial court judge who had dismissed the government’s proscription case against the CPP-NPA.
The red-tagging controversy has drawn attention to the important issue of trust in journalism. Defamatory content like the one directed towards Araullo can undermine a journalist’s ability to effectively perform their duties and maintain public confidence in their work.
As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how Araullo’s pursuit of justice will contribute to addressing the harmful practice of red-tagging and protecting the rights and reputation of journalists and media professionals.
