222 Chasing the Wind: Assessing Philippine Democracy, Second Edition access to information is still problematic. An FOI law with limited exceptions passed by Congress, and covering the executive, legislative and judicial departments, is still necessary to help assure government transparency. Media and democracy The founding of media advocacy groups in the aftermath of the Marcos dictatorship indicated the realization within the profession of the need for media self-evaluation and self-regulation in a democratizing society. The issues of ethics and responsible reporting are also of concern to such groups as the PPI, CMFR, PCIJ, and KBP. The growing concern over the quality of the media was a consequence of the martial law experience. During that period the absence of reliable information through strict government regulation became a weapon of the dictatorship. The availability as well as the quality of information became critical to governance and development issues. The most signicant gain of Philippine journalism after 1986 has been the growth of investigative journalism in an environment still burdened from the martial-law period by the legacy of secrecy. The establishment of the PCIJ in 1989 was the turning point in this rediscovery of a form that, while already in existence before 1972, was then largely limited to exposés and sensationalized articles. Both print and broadcast sectors, prior to and following 1972, paid scant attention to rigorous research. The rediscovery of investigative journalism and its renement as a form based on extensive research has been crucial to the monitoring of governance, and has brought the watchdog function of journalism to a new level of professional commitment. It was a rejuvenation for print as well as broadcast. These gains, however, had to be sustained in conditions that were not necessarily ideal. By 1999, when the Estrada government completed its rst year, it had become increasingly evident that these achievements were not lasting. Dedicated and honest media practitioners not only faced more than the usual difculties in undertaking their work; they also had to contend with presidential bullying and actual as well as implied threats to their physical safety. The Arroyo watch proved to be even more problematic. Not only did the number of journalists slain climb between 2001 and 2010, so did threats and harassments. The government itself threatened more than once to withdraw broadcast franchises, and to sue media organizations. There was also a spate of libel suits, led by the eleven led against 46 reporters, columnists and editors by Mrs. Arroyo's husband. In addition, some journalists groups were labelled enemies of the state by the Philippine police and military, and in some instances included in the military's order of battle.