Broadcaster’s rape jokes denounced, journalists call for safer newsrooms
Trigger warning: mention of rape
MANILA — Journalists and women rights activists called out the rape jokes by an anchor from the K5 News Bacolod during a live broadcast on May 20.
“Rape is never a joke,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said in a statement. “While laws against sexual harassment and local ordinances promoting safe spaces in the workplace exist, misogyny and macho culture still persist.”
K5 News anchor Jean Paul Generoso made the rape remarks during a report of a police case involving a father physically abusing his minor daughter in public. Generoso asked the female reporter on air if he could rape her so that he would be imprisoned too.
Gabriela Women’s Party said that the statement is even more infuriating since it happened while discussing a sensitive issue about abuse. “Instead of showing respect and sensitivity to victims, it was turned into an opportunity to make it a joke, which only further normalizes rape.”
Generoso released a statement of apology addressed.mainly to victims of sexual abuse. However, none has been said about the female reporter who was victimized on air.
“I take full responsibility for my words. There is no excuse for this severe lapse in judgment. Rape is a heinous crime that causes profound, lasting trauma to victims and their families. I deeply regret that my thoughtless remark has caused pain, offense, and disappointment to survivors, their loved ones, and the listening public,” he said.
He was reportedly the head of the station’s human resource department. The statement did not include any steps to sanction his actions or any service intervention for the female reporter.
“Many newsrooms have yet to establish their own policies on sexual harassment or implement clear mechanisms to enforce these laws and workplace safety measures aimed at protecting journalists and media workers,” the NUJP added.
Further, cases of sexual harassment in newsrooms and media industry remain underreported. NUJP said that this is due to, among others, loss of job and income, fear of not being believed, victim-blaming, embarrassment, and stigma.
In 2024, Ateneo de Manila de University’s (ADMU) Department of Communication and the Asian Center for Journalism (ACFJ) released the results of their survey of 129 women journalists.
Based on the results, the most frequently cited form is abuse of power or authority, followed by attempts to damage their reputation or honor. However, there are still cases of sexual harassment in the form of suggestive remarks, intrusive questions about their personal life, and even unwelcome physical contact while at work.
At least 71 of 129 respondents said that the perpetrators of these attacks are usually their sources or contacts, while 56 said that attacks are perpetrated by fellow colleagues, and 45 said that they also experienced attacks from state forces.
Read: Study shows Filipino women journalists’ inter-generational problem
Rape joke is a form of sexual harassment prohibited under the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313), particularly in Section 11 of the law which refers to “the persistent telling of sexual jokes.” Since the remarks are made online and use information and communications technology, the act is also considered a gender-based online sexual harassment.
The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) reported in 2025 that only one out of 10 cases of violence against women is being reported to the authorities.
“This is not a joke or punchline. Rape is a violent crime and a serious violation of women’s rights,” said Gabriela Women’s Party in a Filipino statement. “When rape is made into a joke, it further silences and frightens victims from speaking up and filing complaints.” (DAA)
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