Email Helped Tell the World About the Maguindanao Massacre

Posted on December 3rd, 2009. Written by Rico.

On today’s edition of The Philippine Star, Maria A. Ressa highlights the key role a “citizen journalist” played in confirming the Maguindanao Massacre, telling “professional journalists” what happened through the magic of technology.

Here are some snippets from the awkwardly titled The future of journalism in the world’s most dangerous place for journalists, summarizing how an inside source sent emails detailing the atrocity:

“The PNP were immobile because they were under the command/control of the incumbent Maguindanao government – Ampatuan family. The 6th [Infantry Division] have played dumb and blind despite heightened reports that there is a plot against Toto Mangudadatu.”

He emailed again eleven minutes later, this time asking for an impartial investigation because “the atrocities of Ampatuan family in Maguindanao is a secret public knowledge. All are immobile for their fear of life. These people are playing gods here.”

Nearly five hours later, he emailed a photograph – the first of the gruesome crime scene…

Yay Team Internet! Read the rest here.

(Image from Flickr via Ross Mayfield)