Article 154-Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances

Question 1

What are the acts punished under 154?

Answer 1

1. Publishing or causing to be published, by means of printing, lothography or any other means of publication, as news any false news which may endanger public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State
2. By encouraging disobedience to the law or to the constituted authorities or by praising, justifying, extolling any act punished by law, by the same means, or by words, utterances or speeches
3. By maliciously publishing or causing to be published any official resolution or document without proper authority or before they have been published officially
4. By printing, publishing, distributing books, pamphlets, periodicals, or leaflets which do not bear the real printer’s name, or which is classified as anonymous

Question 2

Is actual damage necessary?

Answer 2

No. The mere possibility of causing such danger or damage is sufficient

Question 3

Should the offender be aware that the news he is spreading is false?

Answer 3

Yes. If not, he is not liable, there being no criminal intent

Question 4

Aside from 154, what law prohibits reprinting and reproduction of gov’t publications without previous authority?

Answer 4

R.A. 248