by Evangeline de Vera
Voting 10-5, the Supreme Court yesterday struck down a warning issued by the Department of Justice and of the National Telecommunications Commission to radio and television stations against airing the alleged wiretapped conversations between President Arroyo and former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
The high tribunal said the warning, which carried the threat of cancellation of the license of the violator, constitutes prior restraint which infringes on the constitutionally protected freedom of the press.