|
By Angelo S. Samonte Reporter
Chief presidential legal counsel
Sergio Apostol said he supports the call for a dialogue between the
Department of Justice and media groups over the controversial
advisory issued by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on the conduct of
media coverages during crisis or emergency situations.
This early, Apostol clarified the
advisory came from Gonzalez and not from President Gloria Arroyo.
Gonzalez also stressed on Monday that only the President can make
him withdraw the advisory.
On Monday, Presidential
Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde said a dialogue between media
groups and the Justice department would clear up misconceptions
about the advisory, which actually warned media organizations
against interfering in police and military operations, or risk
facing criminal charges.
Gonzalez issued the warning on
reports that there is a possible plot to overthrow President Arroyo
this month.
“Please be reminded that your
respective companies, networks or organizations may incur criminal
liabilities under the law, if anyone of your field reporters, news
gatherers, photographers, cameramen and other media practitioners
will disobey lawful orders from duly authorized government
officers,” the advisory warned.
The advisory was issued a few
months after several media people covering the November 29 Makati
standoff were hauled to a military camp for “processing.” The
journalists were later released without charges.
Media protests
Meanwhile, the Malacañang Press
Corps said in a statement that the advisory is unnecessary because
journalists are aware of their duties and responsibilities during
coverages, especially during conflict situations.
The Committee to Protect
Journalists, an international media group based in New York, earlier
called for the withdrawal of the advisory.
On the other hand, the National
Press Club, through its President Roy Mabasa, issued its own
advisory to the media saying that “ no criminal liabilities or
violations of any law are incurred by any editor, reporter,
journalist, columnist, cameraman, photographer or member of the
media in the strict performance of their duty to report news as it
happens and in their exercise of the constitutionally-guaranteed
freedom of expression and of the press and in keeping with the
public’s right to know.”
The press club likewise reminded
the police and the military to adhere to the rule of law,
specifically the Bill of Rights which guarantees freedom of
expression.
Congress support
At least two representatives
support the move of the Palace for the Justice department and media
to dialogue over the advisory.
Reps. Rozzano Rufino Biazon of
Muntinlupa and Satur Ocampo of the left-leaning Bayan Muna
party-list, however, assailed the advisory, calling it a threat to
freedom of the press.
Biazon, vice-chairman of the
House Committee on National Defense said a dialogue would be the
appropriate avenue to come up with the proper guidelines.
“The guidelines should be drawn
up by consensus between government and media. Then the media should
regulate themselves or police their own ranks,” Biazon said.
--With Maricel V. Cruz and Jomar Canlas
|
