Media Groups Say Philippine President's Comments Risk Lives, Urge Boycott

Manila, Philippines: International media groups have joined the condemnation of Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's statement that many journalists have been killed in the country because they were corrupt and those who have done wrong are not exempt from assassination.

Reporters Without Borders urged the Philippine media to boycott Duterte's news conferences until he issues a formal, public apology. The Committee to Protect Journalists says the remarks apparently excusing extrajudicial killings threaten to make the Philippines into a killing field for journalists.

Duterte told a news conference Tuesday that "just because you're a journalist (doesn't mean) you're exempted from assassination if you're a son of a b***h."

Local media groups have widely condemned his remarks.

The International Federation of Journalists says the Philippines has been the second-deadliest country for journalists since 1990.