Tony Nieva

Antonio Maria "Tony" Onrubia Nieva (September 21, 1944 – October 13, 1997) was a Filipino journalist, union organizer, and activist. He worked to defend press freedom and the rights of workers, and campaigned to end authoritarian rule in the Philippines. He led the National Press Club as president and founded the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. He was secretary general of the International Organization of Journalists based in Prague, Czech Republic, from 1995 up to the time of his death in 1997.

Biography

As writer and editor Tony Nieva was a journalist who worked at the Philippines Herald, Manila Bulletin, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. His column for the Inquirer appeared alternately with that of Letty Jimenez Magsanoc. He published a magazine for workers called Bagwis. He led the National Press Club of the Philippines as president for two terms and organized "Save the Press" marches in Manila in a campaign for press freedom in the Philippines.

In 1986, he helped organize the People's Movement for Press Freedom.

Escape of journalist Satur Ocampo In 1985, Nieva, as president of the National Press Club, played a key role in the escape of journalist Satur Ocampo, who had been detained by the military for nine years and tortured. Under Nieva's leadership, the National Press Club had granted lifetime membership to Ocampo, giving him rights to participate in its elections. Marcos and then defense secretary Juan Ponce Enrile gave their permission for Ocampo to attend the organization's annual election of officers. Ocampo went to the National Press Club building on election day on May 5, 1985, escorted by 12 armed guards. He then cast his vote and left the building through the back exit. The recognition came in the same year as that of 10 others, including activist-priest Joe Dizon, businessman and diplomat Alfonso Yuchengco, and tribesmen Lumbaya Gayudan and Tayab Arthur Aboli, who led their fellow Kalingas to oppose the construction of the Chico River Dam after the murder of their leader Macli-ing Dulag.