2 OCTOBER 2008 PJR REPORTS EDITOR’S NOTE

PUBLISHED BY THE CENTER FOR MEDIA FREEDOM & RESPONSIBILITY

Melinda Quintos de Jesus Preparing for 2010 Publisher COMMON complaint among many Filipinos is ticians would assign to them. They can make electoral Luis V. Teodoro not only that there’s too much politics in these isles; choices more meaningful by providing the public the infor- Editor Athere’s also too much of it too soon. The 2010 elec- mation it needs for decision-making in 2010. Specifically, Hector Bryant L. Macale tions are more than a year away, for example. But the would- the media need to provide the electorate a sense of what the Assistant Editor be candidates, especially for the Presidency, are already candidates stand for, because rather than in the political preparing for them, presumably by amassing the huge parties, it is among the individual politicians where the JB Santos amounts needed to wage—in the less than happy phrasing differences in approaches to governance have been evident, Melanie Y. Pinlac of the Commission on Elections—“a credible campaign.” though admittedly rarely. Rather than the exception, the Kathryn Roja G. Raymundo Edsel Van DT. Dura Capturing, consolidating, and enhancing the complex po- programs and platforms some candidates have presented Reporters litical machinery that can make the difference between vic- must be the rule. tory and defeat as well as getting one’s name into the public’s As early as it may seem, the media need to prepare now Arnel Rival consciousness have also begun—a twin but related pro- for meaningful coverage in 2010. Art Director cess that, among other consequences, will inevitably taint There is no lack of civil society groups that can arm the Lito Ocampo every act, episode, and aspect of governance from now un- media with the understanding of the issues that the candi- Photographer til May 10, 2010. dates need to address, as well as to educate the electorate in The media are especially crucial in the latter process. making informed choices by, among other efforts, provid- Carol M. Paragele The Philippine media are a major arena of political struggle, ing it information on what each candidate has stood for in Editorial Secretary despite their many limitations. Philippine broadsheets may the past, and stands for today. Additionally, the media can Jose Abueva have limited reach and the daily issuances of broadcast be proactively informative by themselves identifying the is- Joaquin Bernas, SJ news ephemeral. But there is nevertheless a sense that they sues that need to be addressed, and by providing an analy- Melinda Quintos de Jesus influence decision-making on matters of public interest, no sis of the state of Philippine society, a critique of the policies Fulgencio Factoran matter if the extent of this influence is difficult to establish of the Arroyo government, and an assessment of each Maribel Ongpin with any degree of scientific accuracy. Perception is all, candidate’s program. Tina Monzon Palma Paulynn Paredes Sicam however, and as early as this year the personalities eyeing The complaint that it is too early to discuss politics misses Luis V. Teodoro 2010 are doing all they can to land in the media. the point. Politics in the sense of how power is used and for Vergel O. Santos The surest way to do so is through involvement in some what purpose is a constant in governance, whether elec- Board of Advisers scandal or the other, and it doesn’t matter whether one is tions are being held or not. The media in fact need to sharpen the accuser or accused. As classical communication theory their understanding of the nature of political power in this has established, being in the news is what matters in terms country and the uses to which it has been put for them to of name recall. Thus the effort to get into the media, which succeed, with civil society help, in pushing the politicians in far too many cases amounts to the media’s being ma- into developing the programs and platforms that can pull nipulated by the usual media handlers who today have the country out of the rut it’s in. become regular features of the staffs of every candidate for national office. And yet the media can transcend this role that the poli- Luis V. Teodoro

The PJR Reports (Philippine Journalism Review Reports) is published by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility. All mail should be addressed to: PRESSED FREEDOM By Manix Abrera

PJR Reports Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility 2/F Ateneo Professional Schools, 130 H.V. dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227

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PJR Reports welcomes feedback and contributions on press and media issues. 5PJR REPORTS OCTOBER 2008 3 IN THIS SPEAKING OF ISSUE MEDIA PJR REPORTS OCTOBER 2008

The Prez on the press of the opportunity to post bail and to let him stew overnight in jail. “TASK FORCE 211 and our various law “Once is happenstance, but twice is enforcement agencies need the support no longer coincidence. Some people, not Fourth Citizens Press Council Takes Off and cooperation of all stakeholders if we necessarily the complainants, are clearly KATHRYN ROJA G. RAYMUNDO ...... are to end these killings once and for all.... sending a message. But if they believe 6 We will stop at nothing to protect the Macasaet or this newspaper can be cowed lives of our nation’s media men and by this arrogant display of power, they The Lozada and Neri Decisions women.” have another thing coming. “We call it as we see it. And libel Against the Right to Know President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in her speech during the 100th anniversary of the charges, especially of the harassment JB SANTOS WITH REPORTS FROM EDSEL VAN DT. DURA ...... 8 Philippines Free Press Publishing, kind, be damned.” Low Pay, Long Hours http://www.macapagal.com, Aug. 27 Malaya, on the Sept. 4 arrest of publisher Amado Macasaet over two libel cases, Sept. 6. Killing Them Softly Legal harrasment Macasaet has posted bail for both. MELANIE Y. PINLAC ...... 10 “JAKE MACASAET is probably one of Reporting on the Olympic delegates Challenge to the Media the few publishers of dailies with a na- tional circulation in opposing a proposal “WHILE I respect the freedom of speech Civil Society Initiatives for 2010 Begin to decriminalize libel. He says going to that we practice, I would ask that we also KATHRYN ROJA G. RAYMUNDO ...... 10 court is the proper recourse of a person consider the implications of the pointed who feels he has been maligned by a pen when an article demeans the efforts Commentary publication. He says it is the only way a of our Olympians. Each and every one of Needed: Journalistic Blogging citizen can protect himself from an abu- the 15 Olympian went there with the no- DANILO ARAÑA ARAO ...... 11 sive press. He says fair’s fair—if we in tion of doing his best. All of them invested the press can dish it out, then we should years of training to achieve their dream be able to take it. of being an Olympian. Perhaps some of Planting the Seeds of Ethical Practice “Macasaet and some staffers of this them had dreams of even being a medal- WINIFREDO LIWANAG LUIS ...... 16 paper were among the two score or so ist. And perhaps some of them who are journalists serially haled to court by still young enough still have that dream. Mike Arroyo last year. When Mike of- But let’s not spoil that dream and, per- fered to drop the cases in what the Palace haps, be more constructive with the REGULAR SECTIONS said was an act of charity and forgive- power of the pen and ask the questions as ness after a life-threatening illness, to what can be done better toward our Macasaet instructed Malaya lawyers to Editor’s Note...... 2 quest for future medals…and keep that agree to Arroyo’s offer insofar at it cov- dream realistic…but keep that dream Speaking of Media...... 3 ered the staff. For himself, Macasaet told alive.” the lawyers to oppose Arroyo’s motion Monitor...... 4 Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Jr., chairman of the to drop and to ask the court to proceed to Crisis...... 14 Philippine Basketball Association(PBA) and trial. owner of the Alaska Team, Chronicle...... 15 “He said it was not for Arroyo to de- BusinessMirror, Sept. 9 clare him guilty or innocent. He said such Obit...... 15 a determination can only be made by the The key issue courts. “So who’s afraid of libel charges? “I FOUND the police explanation that the Definitely not Macasaet. journalists covering the event were in a “When Macasaet was arrested Thurs- crime scene and, therefore, needed to be day morning over a libel complaint that ‘processed’ rather ludicrous at first, but THECOVER had been sleeping the sleep of the dead also very unsettling later. For it could for nine years, he was not in the least open the floodgates to outright interfer- Two recent court alarmed or worried. That’s the way it is, ence by authorities in legitimate news especially when one makes enemies of decisions are likely to coverage. Press freedom is the key issue powerful people. He knew there was here. The police action during the Penin- have a negative impact something amiss. His lawyers were not sula siege is an outright assault on press on the right to know. provided a copy of the prosecutor’s find- ing of probable cause. The arrest war- freedom that should not be counte- rant was served two days after it was nanced.” signed by the judge. Columnist Ernesto Hilario, on the Commission Cover photos by LITO OCAMPO “He nonetheless submitted himself to on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) the process. After posting bail around 3 finding on the Nov. 29 arrest of journalists at p.m., he was told by ‘friendly sources’ the Peninsula Manila, Sept. 4, BusinessMirror. In a 20-page resolution dated Aug. 26, the that another warrant—arising from the CHRP found that the police committed human same reports but filed as a separate count rights violations when they arrested and of libel with another sala—was about to detained media practitioners covering the press be served on him around 4 p.m. the same conference of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and day. The idea apparently was to rob him Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim. 4 OCTOBER 2008 PJR REPORTS

LETTER TO THE EDITOR The predatory regime MOA primer JUST got my copy of the latest PJR Reports (September 2008 issue). I am CHEERS TO Philippine Daily Inquirer CHEERS TO The Moro Times for a Iin full agreement with your editor’s contributor Nathan Gilbert Quim- primer on the controversial memo- note, particularly on your point that po for his analysis of the country’s weak randum of agreement on ancestral do- youth or inexperience does not disqualify democratic state. In his commentary pub- main (MOA-AD). Its Aug. 29 issue carried one from commenting on the press. lished Aug. 19, Quimpo argued that a a primer by peace advocate Soliman I was dumbfounded, however, when predatory regime—the existence of Santos Jr. on the MOA-AD between the the whole page 4 was devoted to the “grave social disparities and increasingly government of the Republic of the Phil- perceived “parochialism” of the local opportunistic behavior of the political- ippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation press in reporting Pakistani President economic elite” during the Marcos dicta- Front (p. D4). Santos explained some of Pervez Musharaff’s resignation. torship—has made a comeback. “The Phil- the MOA-AD’s most contentious points. From where I sit, I see nothing terribly Marcos ippines’ current predatory regime, cov- HTTP://WWW.MARCOSPRESIDENTIALCENTER.COM The Moro Times is a monthly supple- wrong with how the Philippine Daily ering both the Estrada and Arroyo gov- ment of The Manila Times. Inquirer and The Philippine Star treated the ernments, is not as authoritarian as the Democracy reviewed Fr. Eliseo Mercado, another prominent story; on the contrary, they did a fine job. Marcos regime was, but it clearly has peace advocate, earlier published in his In the case of Malaya, no apologies for that growing authoritarian tendencies or fea- GMANews.TV blog a similar primer based CHEERS TO the Philippine Free Press “day-old” story. It was a case of an update tures,” Quimpo wrote in “The return of on a discussion with lawyer Camilo for providing an analysis of the not meeting the early deadline of a single the predatory regime” (p. A12). Montesa of the Institute of Autonomy and present state of Philippine democracy. In edition daily. Governance. Take a look at The Washington Post and its centennial issue (Aug. 30), the Free Press The New York Times front pages used to examined how democracy has deterio- illustrate the monitor’s point. It obviously rated since the downfall of the Marcos was a pretty slow news day for those two dictatorship in 1986 (“Democracy After Marcos”, p.50, 52, 54, and 56). papers, giving both room to play up the Musharaff story. Had the resignation taken place as Ike was battering Texas, Recalling Aug. 21, 1983 I’m sure that story would have been bumped off page 1. CHEERS TO the Philippine Daily In- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front quirer for bringing readers back to (MILF) attacks, I believe, have an impact what happened on Aug. 21, 1983. Fe on Filipino readers in the order of a Zamora’s seven-part special (Aug. 21-27) LITO OCAMPO magnitude bigger than the resignation on the assassination of then opposition of Musharaff. leader Benigno Aquino Jr. discussed de- Beyond spot reports In the case of the Inquirer, the top story tails and personalities allegedly involved in the plot, and reminded readers of this was headlined “41 killed in MILF attacks”; An effigy of Arroyo LITO OCAMPO CHEERS TO the Manila Bulletin for in the case of the Star, “Lanao del Norte major political incident that helped oust an informative report on motorcycle burns”. The other stories on page 1 in both Ferdinand Marcos from power three accidents. “Manipulated by the rapacious elite, years later. newspapers were related to the banner— the predatory regime has, in fact, devel- An Aug. 13 report (“Father, son killed; government response, MILF’s disowning oped institutions of its own or warped mom, another son injured in Pasig mo- of the attacks. The stories at the bottom democratic institutions into predatory torcycle accident”, p. 2) on a road accident were on Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and ones,” wrote Quimpo, who serves as an provided context through statistics. on the ongoing Beijing Olympics (Malaya associate professor in political science at The article, which was pegged on four more or less had the same make-up). the University of Tsukuba in Japan and is incidents of motorcycle accidents, cited I suppose, the Inquirer and the Star the author of Contested Democracy: The Left Metropolitan Manila Development Au- editors could have yanked out the stories in the Philippines after Marcos. These preda- thority statistics that showed an increase at the bottom to make space for the tory institutions, he wrote, include the on the overall number of motorcycle-re- Musharaff resignation. But that would patrimonialistic political parties of the lated incidents in the first quarter of 2008 have underplayed the story. Thus the elite, the transformation of clientelist in- compared with the same period in 2007. decision, if I may speculate, to place it on stitutions of “padrino” and “kumpare- The report also provided related statisti- the “ear”, which is the second most kumare” into outright predatory institu- cal information. prominent space on the upper fold after tions of godfather-boss and crony net- The report is an example of a police the banner. works. Other institutions include the pork BWM’s Vicente Romano III LITO OCAMPO story that went beyond providing spot To tie this up to your editor’s note, barrel, government deal commissions, data by also providing the larger context. the point, I suppose, is that the people in and various election cheating forms such One-sided the newsroom do have a better as vote-buying and falsification of elec- Source and context assessment of the impact and significance tion returns. JEERS TO The Philippine Star for one- of stories than those who have no Quimpo also discussed the bleak future sided reporting. Its Aug. 31 report JEERS TO The Daily Tribune for a sen- experience in putting out a paper. The best of the country’s democracy in the next few (Estrada says Lozada sought his assistance,” sationalized headline. Last Aug. 21, evidence is the make-up of page 1 on the years. “It may take at least half a decade for p.9) was entirely based on the tirades of the Tribune’s main story was headlined: day we are talking about. forces of change to turn the tide in former President Joseph Estrada against “Enrile to GMA: Suspend all contacts with This is not to say the Philippine press democracy’s favor,” he wrote. “The chal- the civil society group Black and White MILF: ‘No option save for an all-out war is not guilty of parochialism at times, but lenge ahead of them is not only to Movement (BWM). Quoting Estrada, the vs Islamic dictators’”. The quote used in this particular case is not exactly a good strengthen ‘weak’ democratic institutions. report claimed that national broadband the headline apparently came from ad- example. Since many of the country’s democratic network controversy whistleblower ministration Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile. But institutions have already been warped or Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr. had met him the report did not carry such a quote or With my highest regards, subverted, the challenge is perhaps much and asked for help. Estrada said Lozada’s statement. Given its gravity, the paper Joy Delos Reyes more to dismantle predatory and clientelist ties with BWM had turned sour. The Star should have clearly indicated the source editor in chief institutions and build democratic ones, or did not corroborate the information with of the statement and the context in which Malaya to transform the former into the latter.” either Lozada or BWM. it was made. n PJR REPORTS OCTOBER 2008 5

CHEERS JEERS

world market amid various calls for a JEER OF THE MONTH price rollback. For example, Saksi focused last Aug. tenance, as well as how to tell the real 13 on the price of Dubai crude since May thing from the fake (Aug. 21). In an at- 2008. Using several charts, it showed that tempt to give credit to the people who despite the stability in the price of crude collect these bags, the reporter said con- oil in May and August (after a price spike descendingly, “Sabi ng ilang historians last June), the price of gasoline in the Phil- na wala naman talagang alam maliban sa ippines is still P9 higher and diesoline P15 history ng bag (Some historians, who higher as of Aug. 13. know nothing except the history of bags, said…).” But the reporter ended Court of Appeals LITO OCAMPO HTTP://WWW.HANDBAGSONLINE.COM up acknowledging that the story she Irrelevant news was reporting was all about nothing. decision on the misconduct of some appel- Bad Bags “Ano nga ba ang punto ng istoryang ito? late court justices involved in the Manila JEERS TO 24 Oras for airing irrel- Wala lang (What is the point of this Electric Company-Government Service In- evant foreign news. Last Sept. 8, it JEERS TO The Evening News for a story? Nothing).” Then she continued surance System case. Last Sept. 10, Saksi re- reported that a family of bobcats is now trivial report about designer saying, “Sa tanong kung baka naman hindi called the dismissal of two Court of Ap- living at the backyard of an abandoned bags, the point of which even its re- talaga naghihirap ang Pilipinas? Sa harap peals associate justices prior to that of As- house in California, USA. The report how- porter could not tell. Its feature ng mga nakita kong bags, ang masasabi ko sociate Justice Vicente Roxas. It highlighted ever did not explain the report’s signifi- “Dokumentado: Gud Tayms (Docu- lang, malamang (To the question, maybe the cases of Associate Justices Demetrio cance to its Filipino viewers. The report mented: Good Times) - i Ê bags” ran the Philippines is not really in a state Demetria and Elvi John Asuncion, who should have explained that the abandoned for four minutes and was all about de- of poverty? With all these bags, all I were previously dismissed from service for house reflects the current economic slump signer bags: their price range and main- can say is, probably).” various violations. The program added that in the United States, and its implications 130 judges have been dismissed since 1986. to the local economy. TV Patrol World also provided back- of one man helped restore democracy in ground information on Asuncion and Reporting on health Remembering Ninoy Demetria, but it was shorter compared the Philippines. CHEERS TO ABS-CBN 2 for airing with the Saksi report. CHEERS TO 24 Oras for provid- a special on the assassination of ing an informative report on epi- Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on Aug. 23, Checking the justices Tracing trends lepsy. Last Sept. 3, it aired a substan- 1983. Produced by the Foundation for tive report explaining epilepsy, pos- Worldwide People Power, Beyond Con- CHEERS TO Saksi for reviewing past CHEERS TO GMA-7 for continu- sible treatments, and tips on how to spiracy: 25 years after the Aquino Assassina- cases involving Court of Appeals as- ously providing helpful info- respond when someone experiences an tion reminded viewers how the murder sociate justices in light of the High Court graphics that trace oil price trends in the epileptic attack. n

Focus on swine The second and third parts of the se- The special also discussed related is- ries discussed how Quedancor employ- sues such as the selection of candidates CHEERS TO VERA Files for expos- ees and politicians stole from Quedancor for judicial positions and issues regard- ing the anomalies in the Quedan and and the QSP (“Politicians dip hands into ing the June 2004 Code of Judicial Con- Rural Credit Guarantee Corp. (Que- Quedancor funds,” Sept. 2, http:// duct. dancor) Swine Program (QSP). Supported www.verafiles.org/index.php/focus/ The three-part report was posted fol- by documents and interviews, the three- 115-politicians-dip-hands-into- lowing the Sept. 9 Supreme Court deci- part report was able to comprehensively quedancor-funds and “More flaws in P5B sion to dismiss a CA justice and to sus- explain how the swine program failed to loan to Quedancor bared,” Sept. 3, http:/ pend four others. serve as “the poor man’s financing insti- /www.verafiles.org/index.php/focus/ tution” and instead benefited several 116-politicians-dip-hands-into- Special guidelines quedancor-funds). Quedancor and government officials. Arroyo LITO OCAMPO VERA Files revealed that the failed CHEERS TO MindaNews for examin- lending scheme program is connected Crunching the numbers us part?: Gloria’s inglorious record: Big- ing the special guidelines for mili- with the P728-million fertilizer contro- gest debtor, least popular”, http:// tary operations during the holy month of versy, with the involvement of former CHEERS TO the Philippine Center pcij.org/i-report/2008/national- Ramadan. MindaNews noted last Sept. 10 agriculture secretary Luis Lorenzo and for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) debt.html) the six-point guideline for the pursuit of agriculture undersecretary for finance and for its number-crunching analysis of the the “Lawless MILF (Moro Islamic Libera- administration Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante country’s domestic and foreign debts. Its Corruption in court tion Fronts) Group” issued by the Armed (“Quedancor swine program another fer- Aug. 13 story showed that President Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in obser- tilizer scam,” Sept. 1, http://www. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has borrowed CHEERS TO abs-cbnNews.com/ vance of Ramadan (“War in a time of verafiles.org/index.php/focus/114- a record P3.54 trillion from 2001 to 2007, Newsbreak for discussing corruption Ramadhan and whatever happened to the quedancor-swine-program-another-fer- “making her the single biggest borrower at the Court of Appeals (CA). 2000 Code of Conduct?”, http:// tilizer-scam). The report also revealed that among the post-Edsa presidents.” The fig- In a three-part special published Sept. www.mindanews.com/index.php? more than P3 billion have been lost in the ure, according to PCIJ, is “more than twice 9 to 11, the abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak re- option=com_content&task=view&id= program. VERA Files also had a report the combined total borrowings of the ported that corruption in the judiciary is 5140&Itemid=190). The report also looked on the effect of the QSP on its “beneficia- three presidents before her.” PCIJ also now common practice. It interviewed four at what happened to the Code of Con- ries” (“Ruined Lives,” Sept. 4, http:// analyzed the debt-service payments as retired CA justices, two active CA justices, duct issued by former Defense Secretary www.verafiles.org/index.php/focus/ well as highly controversial deals under and two retired Supreme Court justices, Orlando Mercado at the height of the 121-ruined-lives). the current administration. (“Till debt do among others, to support that conclusion. “all-out war” against the MILF in 2000. n 6 OCTOBER 2008 PJR REPORTS FOURTH CITIZENS PRESS Teodoro of CMFR n By Kathryn Roja G. Raymundo OST JOURNALISTS are well aware of COUNCIL the problems that besiege the press community. In almost every press gath- ering, journalists are the first to ac- knowledge the vulnerability of the news media to various pressures and corruption. TAKES OFF M participants. Salaries are either one” (i.e., they publish for only a Even without these complica- The participants in the re- cal, and/or editorial pressures, as too low, delayed, or both, if they brief period to sway public opin- tions, the journalist’s responsibil- cently concluded Center for Me- well as the inadequacy or even get any at all. It is worse in some ion toward certain business or ity to provide information is al- dia Freedom and Responsi- absence of professional and ethi- cases, when journalists get none political interests). ready difficult enough. Despite bility’s (CMFR) ethics and public cal training, have adversely af- and are instead expected to so- Contractualization is the the guarantee of press freedom journalism seminar-workshop fected the practice of journalism licit ads for which they get com- norm as far as working condi- under Art. III, Sec. 4 of the 1987 held from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 in in the Philippines. missions. tions are concerned. Journalists Philippine Constitution, the me- Clark, Pampanga were no excep- Central Luzon journalists And yet the region is home to sometimes serve as sales or ac- dia are often bound to the inter- tion. They were generally in have to juggle two or more jobs many media outlets, although too count executives to guarantee ests of powerful sectors in soci- agreement that economic, politi- just to make ends meet, said the many are “volume one, only profits for the news organization. ety rather than the public’s. Many

The participants in CMFR’s three-day seminar on ethics and public journalism agreed to establish a citizens press council in Central Luzon. Photos by MELANIE Y. PINLAC PJR REPORTS OCTOBER 2008 7 citizens are left clueless about the the region have responded posi- issues that affect their lives be- tively to the idea of the RPC. cause of the media’s failure to Even some politicians are upbeat provide them the information and expressed their support for they need. its formation, although none of The good news is that the par- them will be part of the RPC. ticipants in the seminar agreed The Philippine Star and to address these issues. At the Mabuhay’s Dino B. Balabo is the culmination of the three-day interim chair of the Central seminar, these journalists agreed Luzon RPC. The coordinators and to establish a citizens press coun- provincial representatives are the cil (CPC) in Central Luzon. following:

A venue for grievances • Aurora – Ariel P. Avendaño A CPC is a self-regulatory (Manila Bulletin, Tempo) mechanism primarily meant to • Bataan – Balabo; Fred A. accept public complaints and to Villareal (Luzon Banner, Cen- correct the media’s professional tral Luzon Daily); and Tonette and ethical lapses. Orejas (Philippine Daily In- CMFR deputy director Luis V. quirer) Teodoro pointed out that press • Bulacan – Carmela B. Reyes councils, of which the CPCs es- (Philippine Daily Inquirer) tablished and being planned by • Nueva Ecija – Grace B. CMFR are a variation, are Doctolero (UNTV 37) “mechanisms through which the • Tarlac – Winifredo L. Luis public can seek redress for me- (dwXT) dia abuse.” Such councils can also • Pampanga – Joey Aguilar correct and/or prevent further (Punto Central Luzon) abuses. Teodoro said the mecha- The three-day seminar also included a discussion on the state of the Philippine press. • Zambales – Belen Figueras nism helps strengthen press free- (Tanod) dom in that not only does the hicle through which the commu- press become more conscious of nity could deepen its understand- De Jesus and Teodoro facili- its ethical and professional re- ing of the news media as impor- tated the three-day seminar- sponsibilities once such councils tant factors in society. workshop prior to the meeting are in place, these councils also The Central Luzon RPC will in which the participants agreed provide the public an alternative be the fourth citizens press coun- to the formation of the council. to going to the courts to resolve cil to have been successfully es- The seminar included sessions on issues against the media. tablished. In 2001, CMFR began media ethics and public journal- The CPCs CMFR helped es- meeting with different press com- ism, as well as a discussion on tablish or whose organization munities in Cebu, Baguio, and the state of the Philippine press. CMFR is in the process of assist- Palawan to help them organize The seminar was made possible ing, said Teodoro, address a press councils that will receive through a grant from the United weakness in the press council ex- complaints against the press from Nations (UN) Democracy Fund. perience in the Philippines. In- the residents of those areas. The seminar and the establish- stead of representing only media The first of the three CPCs ment of the Central Luzon RPC organizations, they include civil was the Cebu Citizens Press is a component of the UN Devel- society representatives as well as Council (CCPC), which was opment Programme project on academics, who, in fact, constitute launched on May 5, 2002. In the Mass media, Democracy and De- the majority in the already estab- same year, the Baguio Citizens velopment of which CMFR, the lished Baguio, Palawan, and Press Council and the Palawan Philippine Center for Investiga- Cebu CPCs. whether by private companies or The council would Community Media Council tive Journalism, Newsbreak, and The CPC also empowers the by government, will adversely were established on May 30 and the Center for Community Jour- public by making it an active affect the fundamental news me- also serve as a June 8, respectively. Of the three nalism and Development are the participant in the process of mak- dia value of autonomy. vehicle through press councils, CCPC has been implementing partners. ing sure the media adhere to its Other forms of self-regulation the most active and most success- Participants in the seminar own standards. CMFR executive are through readers’ advocates, which the ful. It now takes a proactive role and signatories to the manifesto director Melinda Quintos De who are also known as the press in institutionalizing reforms in were: Aguilar, Peter Alagos (Cen- Jesus explained the press has a ombudsman, and press monitor- community could the conduct of the press. tral Luzon Business Week), Thony function in the larger society and ing publications like PJR Reports. deepen its Arcenal (dzME, People’s Tonite), that the principles that govern its The main function of these forms Central Luzon-wide activities Avendaño, Balabo, Doctolero, conduct must be understood by of self-regulation is to “watch the understanding of Before the proposed RPC as- Arlan Fajardo (dzTC-TPRC), the public. watchdog”. the news media sembly in October, the planned Figueras, Emil Gamos (People’s “The news media are the con- Instead of provincial press activities in the Central Luzon Journal, Philippine News necting mechanism for all the councils, the Central Luzon jour- as important provinces include the formation Agency), Jeffrey M. Gomez sectors of society to feel that they nalists signed a manifesto agree- factors in society of provincial CPCs; consultations (CLTV 36), Eden G. Gutierrez ing to the formation of a regional with other journalists and sectors (Central Luzon Daily), Luis, Lino belong to a community and can ...... converse with one another,” said press council (RPC) which will be such as non-government organi- Y. Magat (dzTC, Tarlac Press and De Jesus. composed of provincial satellites. lic that the council would not be zations, academia, the church, and Radio Club), Mark D. Manabat The Central Luzon RPC will an ”old boys’ club” in which me- the legal community; and aware- (Abante), Orejas, Bernie L. Rada Self-regulation needed be composed of journalists, aca- dia practitioners will be protect- ness campaigns to acquaint the (Radyo Natin, CLTV 36), Reyes, Both Teodoro and De Jesus demics, and members of civil so- ing each other. This kind of mem- public with the RPC and its role. Christian C. Reyes (HiTech Cable noted the imperative of regulat- ciety. In the Philippine context, bership would prove the open- Several Central Luzon news TV), Grace B. Sansano (dzRH), ing the press, but emphasized experience has shown that press ness of the press council to ordi- organizations have published Michael Santos (Sitio, Radyo that only self-regulation (of the councils are best composed of this nary citizens who feel aggrieved reports and background material Natin), Theofel Santos (dwIZ), press by the press) is acceptable mix so that complaints against by the media but who fear media on the formation of the Central Glenn Tabelisma (UNTV 37), in a press freedom regime be- the press can receive a fair hear- stonewalling or reprisal. The Luzon RPC. The reports say that Homer Teodoro (GMA News), cause external regulation, ing, as well as to assure the pub- council would also serve as a ve- journalists and various sectors in and Villareal. n 8 OCTOBER 2008 PJR RE

n By JB Santos with reports from Edsel Van DT. Dura

WO RECENT high-profile legal decisions not only reinforce the Arroyo government’s policy of concealment and opaqueness. They also have dire implications for press freedom and practice. TThe Supreme Court denied after being told about the al- last Sept. 4 the motion for recon- leged P200-million bribe of- sideration of the Senate asking for fered by former Commission the reversal of the former’s deci- on Elections chairman Ben- sion upholding former economic jamin Abalos. planning secretary Romulo Neri’s invocation of executive privilege When the Senate asked Neri, on three questions asked during now president of the Social Security the Senate hearing on the Na- System, the three questions in a hear- tional Broadband Network ing on Sept. 26, 2007, Neri clammed Neri (NBN)-Zhong Xing Telecommu- up and invoked executive privilege. Lozada Photos by LITO nications Equipment Corp. (ZTE) After refusing to attend subsequent controversy. hearings by citing executive privi- Eight days later, the Court of lege, Neri was cited in contempt by THE LOZADA AND NERI DEC Appeals dismissed NBN-ZTE star the Senate and was ordered arrested, witness Rodolfo Noel “Jun” at which point Neri sought relief at Lozada Jr.’s petition for a writ of the Supreme Court by asking that amparo. the Senate order citing him in con- The two decisions are “con- tempt and ordering his arrest be nected,” in that both “make life nullified. AGAINST TH difficult for media to get at the Voting 9-6 last March 25, the Su- truth and therefore for the public preme Court upheld Neri’s claim to be served its right to know,” that the three questions are covered BusinessWorld board chair Vergel by executive privilege, and nulli- Santos told PJR Reports in an in- fied the Senate’s arrest order, stat- terview last Sept. 19. ing that the latter committed grave RIGHT TO KN For Santos, the two decisions abuse of discretion in issuing it. On the other hand, “customary diminish media’s sources of in- After the Senate filed a motion partisanship and the absence of gen- formation. The Supreme Court’s for reconsideration last April 8, the erally accepted rules on evidence” Neri decision emboldens govern- Supreme Court just the same sus- in the political branches of govern- ment officials towards nondisclo- tained its earlier ruling, again vot- ment were cited as reasons by the sure, while the Court of Appeals ing 9-6, in a resolution last Sept. 4. Supreme Court in denying the decision on Lozada discourages Justice Teresita Leonardo de Senate’s motion for reconsideration. potential whistleblowers from Castro, in her majority decision Amid the muddle of legal jar- disclosing sensitive government granting Neri’s petition, said that gon, however, the case may be be information. the presidential communications summed up as a collision between “Sources would become more privilege, one of the types of ex- interests favoring secrecy, and in- intimidated (when it comes to ecutive privilege invoked by Neri, terests favoring disclosure. approaching the media), and be is “said to be necessary to guaran- Supreme Court Chief Justice more selective on what they re- tee the candor of presidential advi- Reynato Puno, in his 88-page dis- veal, as they could find them- sors and to provide ‘the President senting opinion on the decision selves in the same situation as and those who assist him...with granting Neri’s petition, described Lozada, while government freedom to explore alternatives in the doctrine of executive privilege sources who may have been hav- the process of shaping policies and as the “tension between disclosure ing some problems of conscience, making decisions and to do so in a and secrecy in a democracy.” Supreme Court or genuinely confused on whether way many would be unwilling to nate information may have been it is right for them to speak to the express except privately.’” Compromising press capacity severely compromised. media, would be dissuaded from Arroyo With the Supreme Court favor- “The interests of the press run doing so,” said Santos, who also ing disclosure over secrecy, the ca- parallel to the interest of the Sen- serves as a board member of the pacity of the press to ate in calling for disclosure. Since Center for Media Freedom and gather and dissemi- the Supreme Court upheld execu- Responsibility (CMFR). tive privilege, one could already see that the effect also runs adverse Secrecy versus disclosure to the press,” said lawyer Jay At its core, the Supreme Court Dejaresco, legal counsel of provin- decision is primarily centered on cial papers Negros Chronicle and whether the Senate could force Bohol Chronicle. Neri to answer three questions: Amando Doronila, in his April 7 Philippine Daily Inquirer column 1)whether President Gloria “Neri decision a rollback of Philip- Macapagal Arroyo followed pine democracy,” also condemned up on the NBN project; the decision in light of the deterio- 2) whether or not Arroyo di- rating political liberties under the rected Neri to prioritize the present administration. project; and “The ruling reinforced execu- 3)whether Arroyo directed tive power at a time when it needs Neri to approve the project to be checked, when it shows an ASSAULT ON THE

PORTS PUBLIC’S RIGHT OCTOBER 2008 9 TO KNOW

(http://cmfr-phil.blogspot.com/2008/ the Philippines College of Law, 09/cmfr-statement-assault-on-publics- said in his Sept. 19 Inquirer column. Such setbacks call right.html) The change may affect future amparo petitions by journalists, es- for not only a HE SUPREME Court’s affirmation of its March 25 decision in favor pecially provincial journalists, who reorientation but Tof executive privilege undermines are threatened or attacked, or sub- the public interest function of the jected to other forms of intimida- reinvention of press to provide information to a tion in the course of their work. citizenry that has a right to it on A similar setback was in fact ex- journalism for our matters of public concern. Even more perienced by a media practitioner dangerously it also erodes the last June 27. The request for a writ environment— democratic imperative of transpar- of amparo by Oriental Mindoro- ency in governance. based journalist Nilo Baculo was Santos By expanding the coverage of denied by the Court of Appeals for executive privilege to include being “unsubstantiated”. Baculo, communications authored or who requested the issuance of the solicited and received by a presiden- tial adviser, in this case then writ of amparo after knowing of a sion” that may also “hamper effec- plot to kill him, was the first jour- OCAMPO National Economic and Development tive use of the recently promulgated Authority Director General Romulo nalist to apply for the writ. writ of amparo and writ of habeas Neri, the Court has legitimized Pavia data.” Like Santos, Bernas also government secrecy to an extent yet to Challenge CISIONS serves as a CMFR board member. be established by practice. According to Santos, such set- Lawyer Nepomuceno Mala- The Court also affirmed that backs call for “not only a reorien- luan, trustee of the Action for Eco- executive privilege includes informa- tation but reinvention of journal- nomic Reforms and co-convenor of tion on presidential decisions as well ism for our environment.” the Access to Information Network, as the materials that were discussed The difficulties with which jour- prior to those decisions, thus said that a “recognition of execu- nalists have to contend with in ob- enabling the president and/or his/ E tive privilege of this kind could be taining information, as well the un- her advisers to use executive privilege invoked in different circumstances, to conceal information on corruption certainty of having protection like if the writ of amparo will re- and other forms of official wrongdo- when journalists are threatened, quire looking into certain docu- ing from the Senate, the press, and makes it inapplicable to practice ments or facilities.” the public. traditional journalism—under- Malaluan told PJR Reports last The impact on the public’s right mining the capacity and responsi- NOW Sept. 16 that “the burden of proof to know and on the basic responsibil- bility of the press to monitor gov- now shifts to the person asking for ity of the press to provide such ernance and possible abuse of information, like a journalist, to information is obvious. But it is power by government officials. prove that there is a compelling equally relevant to the health and “Journalism as practiced in a interest (for the disclosure of infor- future of democracy. If no information free society does not apply here be- can be obtained because of executive mation).” cause it’s no longer a free society,” privilege, then no information vital to Journalists trying to obtain gov- Santos said. the exercise of the sovereign right of ernment documents, or asking a Santos the people in a democracy to decide Santos said that one change that source to speak on a sensitive topic, on policy and other governance reportedly whisked away by gov- could be implemented is for jour- may be affected as government of- issues can be made available. ernment operatives upon his ar- nalists to engage in “reasoned ficials could be expected to invoke Oddly in conflict with the rival at the Ninoy Aquino Interna- speculation” because “sourcing of executive privilege more often. impending passage of a bill on tional Airport. Lozada continued information for the media has been “The impact is really substan- public and press access to govern- with the application saying that in- constricted.” Santos said that such tial. Investigative reporting as well ment information, the decision also dividuals who may have been up- a change may be difficult as it re- as day-to-day beat reporting (may strikes at the heart of the imperative set over his NBN-ZTE testimony quires higher levels of expertise. be affected),” Malaluan said. for transparency in the affairs of a might do him harm. The Court of Philippine Press Institute execu- Such setbacks in obtaining state- government in which corruption has Appeals, however, ruled that tive director Jose Pavia, however, held information were already evi- so metastasized that it now afflicts it Lozada was not able to present suf- said that the media, in light of from top to bottom. Vital in the fight dent in recent years under the cur- ficient evidence to prove that he had mounting difficulties, should be against corruption, transparency is rent administration. No doubt been kidnapped. Lozada’s life is the only weapon available to citizens more enterprising in their work. Malacañang leads government in- increasing tendency to invoke state to assure honesty in governance. By also not under threat at present, the “One really needs to work security to clamp down on political stitutions in putting up barriers to in effect providing the legal basis for Court of Appeals stated, claiming harder by going through alterna- liberties of opposition and civil so- block public access to information, the de facto reversal of that policy, the that Lozada was able to attend an tive means of securing informa- ciety groups whose calls for regime wrote veteran journalist Yvonne court has made that fight even more interfaith rally in Makati, as well tion,” Pavia said. change were often tagged as extra- Chua in PJR Reports in Sept. 2006. difficult and problematic. as to go on campus tours all over “Though maybe it does make constitutional plots to overthrow The policies the administration To meet the challenge posed by the country. the work harder, it does not mean the administration,” Doronila said. adopted, she added, “hardly augur the expansion of executive privilege, “The Supreme Court deliber- that we cannot anymore do our job. “The consortium (sic) between an atmosphere of transparency.” journalists will have to exert greater ately fixed a lower standard of evi- It’s a challenge.” the executive and the Supreme efforts to get at the truth of govern- dence for amparo petitions to As the CMFR statement de- Court in cementing the doctrine of ‘Substantial evidence’ ment transactions, policies and make it easier for the parties to avail clared: “To meet the challenge actions. As in the dying days of the the primacy of an all-powerful ex- The Court of Appeals ruling themselves of this remedy…. The posed by the expansion of execu- Marcos regime, the need of the hour ecutive in a democratic state is a le- dismissing Lozada’s petition for an Supreme Court made it clear that tive privilege, journalists will have is for a journalism firmly committed the amparo is not a criminal case thal combination with antidemo- issuance of a writ of amparo may to the truth-telling necessary in a to exert greater efforts to get at the cratic consequences,” Doronila also have a substantial impact on democracy and vital to a sovereign that would have entailed the high- truth of government transactions, added. the press and the public not only people’s capacity to hold govern- est standard of evidence, namely, policies and actions. As in the dy- The spillover effect of the Su- by discouraging potential whistle- ments accountable. We call on our ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt.’ ing days of the Marcos regime, the preme Court’s upholding of execu- blowers from coming out, but also colleagues in the press to transcend Instead, the Supreme Court re- need of the hour is for a journalism tive privilege in the Neri case could by making it harder for petitioners through practice that’s both vigilant quired the aggrieved party to meet firmly committed to the truth- tell- also affect other investigations. Ac- to avail of the writ of amparo. as well as responsible the limits the only the test of ‘substantial evi- ing necessary in a democracy and cording to the March 21 Inquirer Lozada’s brother Arturo ini- Supreme Court decision has dence,’ which is several notches vital to a sovereign people’s capac- column of Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J. it tially asked for the issuance of a imposed on the public’s right to lower than that,” Raul Pangalangan, ity to hold governments account- is “a dangerously crippling deci- writ of amparo after Lozada was information. n former dean of the University of able.” (see sidebar) n 10 OCTOBER 2008 PJR REPORTS

LOW PAY, LONG HOURS KILLING THEM SOFTLY n By Melanie Y. Pinlac tractual employees and ‘talents’ who comprise the bulk of media AYING JOURNALISTS “are being slowly killed workers,” the journalists said in by low salaries, and dismal working conditions a statement. like long working hours and lack of job security During the plenary session, th delegates suggested the creation and benefits,” delegates to the 6 National of a media welfare fund and a Congress of the National Union of Journalists radio program to address issues Sof the Philippines (NUJP) called for better wages and of press freedom and journalists’ benefits for media practitioners. rights and welfare. They also proposed the formation of a leg- The NUJP held its 6th Na- “We call on owners of news- islative watch to follow up bills NUJP officers take their oath JEFFREY TUPAS tional Congress last Aug. 23 to papers, radio and television sta- on media pending in Congress net); Sonny Fernandez (ABS- lance journalist); and Jose Torres 24 with the theme “Breaking tions, and online news sites to and an annual press freedom CBN 2); Cheryll Fiel (Davao To- Jr. (GMANews.TV). Barriers, Building Strength” at improve the working conditions award. day); John Heredia (Capiz News Torres was again named chair the Catholic Bishops Confer- of their staff by granting humane The NUJP also elected its Na- Today); Danny Lucas (ABS-CBN of the executive committee. ence of the Philippines-Na- wages, providing transportation tional Directorate for 2008-2010. 2); Arnell Ozaeta (dzMM and The Other executive committee mem- tional Social Action Develop- and communication allowances Elected were: Alwyn Alburo Philippine Star); Rowena Paraan bers are: Burgos, vice chair; ment Center in Tagaytay City. and other subsidies. We urge (GMA-7); Julie Alipala (Philippine (IFJ-NUJP Media Safety Office); Fernandez, secretary general; More than 50 journalists from them to ensure the job security Daily Inquirer); Nestor Burgos Ilang-Ilang Quijano (Pinoy Ramos, deputy secretary general; 32 NUJP chapters nationwide of all their staff by regularizing (Inquirer); Desiree Caluza (In- Weekly); Marlon Ramos (In- Paraan, treasurer; and Alburo, attended the event. correspondents or stringers, con- quirer); Jaime Espina (Inquirer. quirer); May Rodriguez (free- auditor. n CHALLENGE TO THE MEDIA CIVIL SOCIETY INITIATIVES FOR 2010 BEGIN n By Kathryn Roja G. Raymundo PaP was correctly critical of the non-government organiza- tain inputs from the represen- the Commission on Elections’ tion Task Force 2010 held a fo- tatives of the vulnerable sectors ECENT POLITICAL and socio-economic devel- (Comelec) weak implementation rum and workshop on “Ensur- and other stakeholders. opments have highlighted the importance of the of election laws and identified ing the Right to Electoral Par- CHRP Chair Leila De Lima country’s preparedness for 2010, when the term several areas where reforms can ticipation: Giving Access to emphasized the significance of R be proposed and considered by Vulnerable Sectors in 2010” to voter education to improve the of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ends and citizens policy makers. PaP thus called on address the human rights im- electoral process. once more go to the polls in the national and local elec- the Comelec to strictly monitor plications and other concerns “When we vote…we assert tions scheduled for that year. and enforce laws on campaign regarding the 2010 elections. our right over governance of the What is encouraging is that 2010 may have violated election spending and use of media, and The assembly sought to iden- State,” Lima said. civil society has already begun rules during their 2007 campaign. to issue a policy that would de- tify and solve the numerous Both CHRP and Task Force laying the groundwork to en- The study said three out of clare and ensure that all cam- situational and physical con- 2010 called for cleaner and genu- hance voter awareness in address- eight incumbent senators who paign and election documents straints that contribute to the ine elections. The CHRP believes ing the problems and issues that ran in 2007 may have broken sa- would be made public. disenfranchisement of vul- honest and fair elections contrib- affect Philippine governance and lient provisions of Philippine PaP’s 2007 study on campaign nerable sectors of Philippine ute to the development of a po- politics. The various groups in- laws on campaign finance, spending is a pilot test in prepara- society. litical environment conducive to volved are calling on the press to among them the Synchronized tion for a larger monitoring ini- These sectors are: first-time the respect, protection, and ful- provide the public the meaning- Election Law, the Fair Election tiative in 2010. PaP is a network of voters/youth, internally dis- fillment of human rights. Task ful information it needs and to Act, and the Omnibus Election civil society organizations that placed people, indigenous com- Force 2010 also launched its cam- help civil society’s advocacy for Code of the Philippines. aims to raise public awareness of munities, detainees, differently- paign to clean and verify the meaningful elections. The three senators are Manuel campaign finance and its links to abled people, and the elderly. voter’s list for the forthcoming Not only regular reporting “Manny” Villar Jr., Lorna Regina political corruption. PaP’s work- CHRP and Task Force 2010 elections. but in-depth coverage and analy- “Loren” Legarda, and Francis Jo- ing group includes the Access to are promoting a rights-based The Washington, DC-based sis during elections as well as seph “Chiz” Escudero. All are re- Information Network, the Consor- approach in electoral participa- International Foundation for between elections, help voters portedly interested in running for tium for Electoral Reforms, the tion supportive of the people’s Electoral Systems (IFES) sup- decide who to vote for, and in the the Presidency in 2010. Lawyers’ League for Liberty, right to suffrage and self-deter- ported the PaP and CHRP initia- long run help shape, though in- While these findings provide Transparency and Accountability mination. tives. directly, the policy-making and - information vital to the credibility Network, and University of the The objectives of the forum implementing institutions of the of Villar and company, the study Philippines (UP) public adminis- were to raise awareness on the The media’s role country. also had a wider implication. Cov- tration professor Dr. Edna Co and problems of vulnerable sectors As part of its 2004 and 2007 ering both the national (senatorial her team of analysts. in the exercise of their right to monitor of media coverage of the Learning from experience and party list groups) and local Co, faculty member of the UP political participation; to pro- elections, the Center for Media Pera’t Pulitika (Money and Poli- (four areas: Navotas, Pasig, 4th dis- National College of Public Ad- vide the latest information on Freedom and Responsibility rec- tics/PaP), a poll campaign-spend- trict of Quezon City, and Langiden, ministration and Governance the sectors and point out gaps ommended that the press, with ing monitoring group, fired the Abra) campaigns, the study found and the Ateneo School of Gov- that need to be addressed for the help of civil society and me- first salvo in the campaign to there was significant overspending ernment said, “Will we allow this their greater electoral partici- dia advocacy groups, uphold its awaken and enhance interest in in the 2007 electoral contests as a (overspending) to happen again pation; to hold consultations own ethical and professional the 2010 elections. The PaP study whole, indicating that elections in 2010? We hope not.” with various stakeholders; to standards; intensify coverage “Money and Politics: Campaign continue to be an economic invest- bring to the attention of con- through special reports and pub- Spending in the 2007 Elections, A ment for candidates—and suggest- Clean and genuine elections cerned government agencies lic affairs programs; and provide Challenge to 2010 Elections” ing that money still rules and un- In another assembly, the and policymakers the issues reporters training in the laws, found that some of the politicians dermines an exercise basic to Commission on Human Rights identified by the sectors and processes, and other intricacies of gunning for the presidency in democratic governance. of the Philippines (CHRP) and raise accountability; and to ob- electoral politics. n PJR REPORTS COMMENTARY OCTOBER 2008 11

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feature that can allow online users to read, watch or listen to media content even without an Internet browser NEEDED: and going to the blog’s URL. In terms of content, bloggers are usually their own gatekee- pers, which means that they are left on their own to decide what content to upload. The practice JOURNALISTIC is different in journalism, where media organizations have a “gatekeeping function”—edi- tors screen what reporters, pho- tographers, and illustrators pro- duce. There are even cases where BLOGGING owners and publishers meddle n By Danilo Araña Arao with media content. In addition, advertisers and other interest LOGGING AND Journalism. The use of groups directly or indirectly the word “and” is meant to highlight the pressure journalists in their at- tempt to promote their respec- complementation of the two instead of the tive agendas. adversity reflective of the tension between old At first glance, bloggers have and new media. an advantage over journalists Journalism is all about providing relevant informa- whose works are screened by oth- B ers and subjected to various pres- tion with the objective of shaping public opinion. It ad- sures. This particular advantage, heres to professional and ethical guidelines in the writ- however, means more responsi- ing and production of various journalistic outputs. Ex- bility for the blogger to be cer- amples of professional standards are the “ABCs of jour- tain about the content shared with nalism,” namely accuracy, brevity, and clarity. A basic his or her readers. Unlike jour- nalists, bloggers usually do not ethical guideline in writing and producing journal- have editors to evaluate the form istic outputs is truth-telling. and content of their outputs. There is nothing wrong and Blogging entails the guishes between posts and pages, many things right with editors use of a content man- the former being the updates constructively screening journal- agement system (CMS) provided by the blogger and the ists’ work. It helps improve the Computers have like WordPress (WP) to latter being seldom updated and quality of the latter. However, become an important write articles and up- are normally meant for first-time pressures exerted by advertisers tool for today’s load graphics and and infrequent visitors. and other interest groups are journalists. other media files. Un- The CMS used in blogs is es- counterproductive in the practice Photos by like a website that has sentially a database program of the journalism profession. LITO OCAMPO static pages, a blog has more that makes it easier for content This is where the indepen- dynamic content as it distin- to be categorized. It also has a dence enjoyed by bloggers should be appreciated. They do not usually have to deal with the politics that goes with maintain- ing and sustaining print and broadcast media organizations.

Blogging for Journalism The mass media have three major fields: Journalism; Advertising and Public Relations (PR); and Entertainment. The content of blogs as part of the new media may also be classified according to these three major fields. What is necessary for bloggers is for them to know and to put into practice what their purpose in blogging is. Are they blogging mainly to pro- vide relevant information and social commentaries (journal- ism); to promote products and services (advertising and PR); or to give pleasure to audiences (en- tertainment)? The classifications for 12 OCTOBER 2008 PJR REPORTS

A BLOGGERS’ CODE OF ETHICS from http://www.cyberjournalist.net/news/000215.php (15 April 2003) Be Honest and Fair Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information. Bloggers should: • Never plagiarize. • Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is Multimedia reporting in today’s Internet age entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reli- ability. bloggers are not necessarily mu- Blogging may be write and produce. Blogging may • Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, pho- tually exclusive, so this means be only a hobby or a passing tos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not that blog entries can have a only a hobby or a fancy for some, but all bloggers oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context. healthy mix of “serious” and should be responsible for what- • Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has “light” topics. What is necessary passing fancy for ever media content is uploaded been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for tech- is for the blog’s focus or niche to some, but all in his or her blog. nical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations. be apparent to the online user. Journalism ethics comes into • Never publish information they know is inaccurate—and if pub- And this cannot be done if the bloggers should the picture as this is the oldest lishing questionable information, make it clear it is in doubt. blogger himself or herself is not and most developed in the field • Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual infor- sure of the nature and orientation be responsible of media ethics. That mation. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not mis- of his or her blog. for whatever CyberJournalist.net created the represent fact or context. It is not advisable to use model “Bloggers’ Code of Ethics” • Distinguish factual information and commentary from adver- blogs, even the personal ones, only media content is based on the Society of Profes- tising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. as venues for expressing personal sional Journalists (SPJ) Code of rants, unfounded accusations, uploaded in his Ethics illustrates this point. A tex- Minimize Harm subjective observations and ex- or her blog tual analysis of the specialized Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings istential angst. As pointed out in ...... “Healthcare Blogger Code of Eth- deserving of respect. “A Bloggers’ Code of Ethics” ics” (for healthcare professionals Bloggers should: which can be retrieved from Of course, one can counter- and patients who blog) also • Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by CyberJournalist.net, “responsible argue that irresponsible bloggers shows elements from journalis- Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with chil- bloggers should recognize that are usually the ones who become tic practice. dren and inexperienced sources or subjects. they are publishing words pub- popular as they generate substan- Bloggers must not therefore • Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs licly, and therefore have certain tial Web traffic. There is no de- misinterpret the repeated cita- of those affected by tragedy or grief. ethical obligations to their read- nying that one grammatically- tion of journalism standards as • Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause ers, the people they write about challenged blogger got substan- an imposition from journalists harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for and society in general.” tial media mileage for his blog as to how writing and the pro- arrogance. Blogger Scott Rosenberg said entries that accused his lover of duction of media content should • Recognize that private people have a greater right to control that the difference between stealing from him, and other per- be done. It is also non-sequitur information about themselves than do public officials and oth- blogging and journalism is a sonalities of engaging in de- for bloggers to raise the prob- ers who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding graph and not a line. To be spe- pravity. (As of this writing, the lems surrounding media orga- public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy. cific, he said that it is a classic controversial blog has an Alexa nizations (e.g., corruption and • Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity. Be cautious four-quadrant graph. “There’s an traffic ranking of about 125,000 irresponsible reporting by some about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and X axis from `not blogging at all’ and a Google PageRank of 3.) journalists) in their refusal to ad- criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges. to `blogging all the time’ and There is a need, however, to here to a journalism-based code there’s a Y axis from, say, `writes rethink one’s purpose in blog- of ethics like CyberJournal- Be Accountable the equivalent of a private diary’ ging. In a Sept. 8 post I wrote for ist.net’s. Bloggers should: to `writes exclusively about pub- my blog Rising Sun, I asked, “Is it Contrary to what a blogger • Admit mistakes and correct them promptly. lic affairs.’” simply to get attention or to once wrote, this is not a case of • Explain each Weblog’s mission and invite dialogue with the pub- The issue, however, between shape public opinion? Is it to en- the pot calling the kettle black. lic over its content and the bloggers’ conduct. the two is very fundamental: gage in shameless promotion or Just because there is a weakness • Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities, and per- Why is there a need to draw the to provide relevant information? in the observance of acceptable sonal agendas. line between blogging and jour- Is it mainly to monetize or pri- standards in journalism does not • Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests nalism, or even a graph to illus- marily to conscienticize?” give bloggers the reason to and resist their pressure to influence content. When excep- trate their difference? What is refuse adherence to acceptable tions are made, disclose them fully to readers. necessary is to analyze blogging Adherence to standards standards. In the first place, why • Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When ac- and journalism along the lines of What is crucial in blogging is should the quality of blogging cepting such information, disclose the favors. responsibility. This is where the adherence to standards and the be dependent on the quality of • Expose unethical practices of other bloggers. professional and ethical stan- conscious effort to be responsible the journalism profession in the • Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others. dards would come in handy. for the media content bloggers country? PJR REPORTS OCTOBER 2008 13

Bias for information Even if blogs can serve jour- nalistic, advertising, and enter- tainment functions, it is necessary HEALTHCARE BLOGGER for bloggers to have a bias for providing relevant information towards the shaping of public CODE OF ETHICS opinion. The situation in the Phil- from http://medbloggercode.com/the-code (31 July 2007) ippines compels all citizens to do their share in nation-building. 1. Clear representation of perspective - Readers must un- Regardless of their beliefs, derstand the training and overall perspective of the author of a blog. bloggers should maximize the Certainly bloggers can have opinions on subjects outside of their opportunity by engaging in what training, and these opinions may be true, but readers must have a can be aptly described as “jour- place to look on a blog to get an idea of where this author is coming nalistic blogging.” They should from. This also encompasses the idea of the distinction between regularly provide fair commen- advertisement and content. This does not preclude anonymous tary to what is happening in Phil- blogging, but it asks that even anonymous bloggers share the profes- ippine society and encourage sional perspective from which they are blogging. other bloggers to follow suit. Journalistic blogging could be 2. Confidentiality - Bloggers must respect the nature of the in the form of actual coverage of relationship between patient and medical professionals and the clear events or personal reflections. need for confidentiality. All discussions of patients must be done in a The latter can be considered jour- way in which patients’ identity cannot be inferred. A patient’s name nalistic outputs as long as proper can only be revealed in a way that is in keeping with the laws that context is provided and the fac- govern that practice (HIPPA, Informed Consent). tual bases of commentaries are provided in order to avoid sub- 3. Commercial Disclosure - the presence or absence of com- jective tendencies in writing. A journalist covering a roundtable discussion mercial ties of the author must be made clear for the readers. If the Participation in the annual authors are using their blog to pitch a product, it must be clear that “Blog Action Day” (http:// it applicable to blogging in an aged as part of media content. they are doing that. Any ties to device manufacturer and/or pharma- blogactionday.org) can be a good underdeveloped country like the Just like the journalism pro- ceutical company must be clearly stated. start. Incidentally, the theme for Philippines, mindful also of lat- fession, self-regulation is the key 2008 is poverty, a very appropri- est blog-related developments to responsible blogging as leg- 4. Reliability of Information - citing sources when appropri- ate topic for the Philippines. like micro-blogging, podcasting islating (and therefore imposing) ate and changing inaccuracies when they are pointed out. Being relevant is a good way and vlogging (video blogging), ethical and professional stan- for bloggers to make a difference as well as issues that affect media dards in blogging could eventu- 5. Courtesy - Bloggers should neither engage in personal at- in society. While the Internet has content like paid links and spon- ally lead to government censor- tacks nor allow their commenters to do so. Debate and discussion of limited reach, online users in the sored posts. ship which is unacceptable in a ideas is one of the major purposes of blogging. While the ideas people Philippines and abroad can still By adhering to standards, regime of free expression. hold should be criticized and even confronted, the overall purpose is a be made aware of what is hap- bloggers can re-assess the im- Independent blog monitoring discussion of ideas, not those who hold ideas. pening through informative blog plications of depending mainly is an excellent way to self-regu- entries. on search engine optimization late the blogosphere. It can high- Through the years, relevant (SEO) methods like “link farm- light responsible and irrespon- “Pinoy BlogWatch” comes to widget on their blog’s sidebar. blog posts have even been picked ing” and “keyword stuffing” in sible cases of blogging, particu- mind). The evaluation of such Independent monitoring and up by media organizations. Tra- producing media content. In larly among blogs that enjoy high cases could be based on the rec- assessment of blog content, if ditional media coverage can help terms of design and layout, traffic and popularity. Indeed, an ommended standards, to which done effectively, could be help- a lot in spreading the blogger’s they will also realize why it is objective assessment of the qual- bloggers can show adherence by ful for newbies to know which intended message. The blog of unethical to monetize blogs ity of selected blog entries is lack- posting the disclosure on their practices are worth emulating Salam Pax (“Where is Raed?”; through advertisements pack- ing in the Philippines (the name blogs or installing a badge or and rejecting. The more estab- http://dear_raed.blogspot.com) lished bloggers, on the other who wrote from Baghdad during hand, could be motivated to serve the Iraq war in 2003 is a good case as good examples to others. study. Journalist Paul Andrews There is much that bloggers said that Salam’s “blogged obser- can learn from the responsible vations from Iraq provided some practice of the journalism profes- of the best eyewitness reporting sion, in the same way that jour- during the war.” nalists should use blogs as an in- Indeed, the prospects of being tegral part of disseminating their quoted by the media should mo- intended message by maximiz- tivate bloggers to make their ing the convergence characteris- posts more informative and tic of the new media. meaningful to their readers. Blogs, after all, must not be dismissed as simple personal Regulating the blogosphere journals. In the right hands, they Outputs from blogging and can be powerful tools in the shap- the journalism profession are ing of public opinion. n part of the public domain, hence ...... the need for bloggers and jour- Danilo Araña Arao is an assis- nalists alike to adhere to accept- tant professor at the Department of able professional and ethical stan- Journalism of the University of the dards. Philippines in Diliman where he One does not need to reinvent teaches ethics, online journalism, and the wheel, so to speak, as there is publication design and layout, among already “A Bloggers’ Code of Eth- other courses. The writer adapted this ics” from CyberJournalist.net. One commentary forthe PJR Reports from can review its contents and make Alecks Pabico, online manager and multimedia director of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, at i-Blog his lecture on blogging and journal- the necessary revisions to make 3, an annual blogging conference. The fourth i-Blog Summit was held last April. ism at WordCamp Philippines 2008. 14 OCTOBER 2008 CRiSiS PJR REPORTS NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL a public official, while the editors regional state prosecutor over- of Makati RTC Branch 136 find- arrested last Sept. 4 for libel, and Pichay questioned their inclu- turned the earlier indictment by ing them guilty of libel. The li- while another publisher’s libel sion in the case. the Ilocos Sur provincial prosecu- bel case stemmed from a series conviction was affirmed after a SC upholds guilty verdict The Supreme Court in its 31- tor in 1997. But Vigan RTC of articles published in Novem- judge denied her motion for re- against columnist page decision penned by Associ- Branch 21 Judge Francisco ber and December 1994 in the consideration. ate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. Ranches—and later the appellate Chronicle calling Yuchengco a Amado Macasaet, publisher THE SUPREME Court affirmed explained the articles “cannot be court—ruled that there was prob- “Marcos crony” and a “‘corporate of the daily newspaper Malaya as last Sept. 16 the guilty verdict on a considered as qualified privi- able cause for the filing of the li- raider’ who engaged in dubious well as the tabloid Abante, was 1999 libel case filed by a customs leged communication” since it bel charges. financial transactions.” The Phil- arrested for a nine-year old libel official against a columnist, three did not meet the standard under Yambot, Magsanoc, Molina, ippine Journalism Review reported case by operatives of the Crimi- editors, and the publisher of a the second paragraph of Article and Pascual brought their case be- about the case in its December nal Investigation and Detection popular Manila-based tabloid. 354 of the Revised Penal Code. fore the Supreme Court. The 2002 issue. Group (CIDG) of the Philippine The Supreme Court’s Second “The articles clearly are not the Court’s Third Division upheld in In its March 18 decision National Police at his office in Division denied the petitions fair and true reports contemplated September 2008 the appellate penned by Associate Justice Port Area, Manila. filed by columnist and broad- by the provision. They provide no court’s decision. Agustin Dizon, GMANews.TV Macasaet is also the president caster Erwin Tulfo, editors Susan details of the acts committed by The Court said it could not reported that the appellate court of the Philippine Press Institute Cambri, Rey Salao, Jocelyn the subject, Atty. So. They are plain act on the other issues raised by denied the Chronicle’s motion for as well as director of Samahang Barlizo, and Carlo Publishing and simple baseless accusations, Yambot, Magsanoc, Molina, and reconsideration, saying there Plaridel, an organization of vet- House Inc. president Philip backed up by the word of one un- Pascual. was a “preponderance of evi- eran journalists and communica- Pichay asking for the reversal of named source. Good faith is lack- The Center for Media Free- dence” to prove there was actual tors. the Court of Appeals decision to ing, as Tulfo failed to substantiate dom and Responsibility has malice in the publication of the Makati Regional Trial Court uphold their conviction for libel or even attempt to verify his story called for the decriminalization articles. It also said the newspa- Branch 59 Judge Winlove in a complaint by lawyer Carlos before publication. Tulfo goes of libel since the early 1990s. per failed to get Yuchengco’s side, Dumayas meanwhile denied the So. So was an official of the Bu- even further to attack the charac- BusinessWorld reports that the and that Cuyuito abused his motion for reconsideration filed reau of Customs Intelligence and ter of the subject…even calling Senate is “crafting a bill that seeks power as chair and owner of the by Ninez Cacho Olivares asking Investigation Service at the him a disgrace to his religion and to distinguish libel against a pri- Chronicle to publish defamatory the former to overturn his ear- Manila’s Ninoy Aquino Interna- the legal profession,” the decision vate person and a public officer.” reports against Yuchengco. lier decision convicting Olivares tional Airport. said. So is a member of the reli- The bill amending Articles But the CA’s Special Former of libel. The decision followed one in gious organization Iglesia ni 354 and 361 of the Revised Penal 15th Division in its Aug. 28 deci- Olivares, publisher of The which the Court allowed a lower Cristo. Code will “scrap the fine of im- sion said it found no actual mal- Daily Tribune, another critical court to hear against a libel case The Court also said that “(t)his prisonment only for political li- ice in the articles. “The records broadsheet, said she and her law- filed in 1996 against the Manila is no case of mere error or honest bel,” Sen. Richard J. Gordon, chair are bereft of proof of actual mal- yers will bring the case to the broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer. mistake, but a case of a journalist of the committee on constitu- ice on the part of the defendants- Court of Appeals. The Court also denied in Sept. abdicating his responsibility to tional amendments, revision of appellants for the imputations Dumayas had sentenced 2008 a petition filed by Inquirer verify his story and instead mis- codes and laws, told Business- made in the subject articles,” said Olivares to a minimum of six publisher Isagani Yambot, editor informing the public.” World. the decision penned by Associ- months to a maximum of two in chief Letty Jimenez Magsanoc, However, the Court amended “If a politician is attacked, ate Justice Amelita Tolentino as years in prison and to pay P5 and correspondents Teddy the earlier penalties imposed by presumption of malice is no quoted by the newspaper The million in moral damages Molina and Juliet Pascual to stop the Pasay City RTC on the defen- longer there. Malice should now Manila Times. and P33,732.25 in civil dam- the Vigan Regional Trial Court dants. The RTC had earlier or- be proven by the prosecution,” It also recognized that the ages for a story she wrote (RTC) from hearing a libel case dered the defendants to pay he explained. previous decision put aside the about a prominent law firm’s filed against them by lawyer P800,000 in actual damages, P1 appellants’ arguments that the alleged unethical and corrupt Raymundo Armovit in 1996. million in moral damages, and CA reverses decision on articles fell under privileged practices. The 1996 libel charges against an additional P500,000 in exem- libel case communication as stated in the The Supreme Court earlier the Inquirer are based on articles plary damages. They were also Constitution and that its subjects this year issued a circular urging implying that Armovit hid his sentenced to serve six months to SAYING IT would have “a dev- are of public interest, the Times courts to choose the imposition client Rolito Go when the latter four years and two months in astating and catastrophic effect on reported. The Chronicle reports of fines rather than imprison- escaped during his trial for the prison for each count of libel. the freedom of speech and of the involved publicly listed compa- ment on journalists convicted of killing of a student. Go was later “Freedom of expression as press,” the Court of Appeals (CA) nies like the Benguet Corp., the libel. convicted. well as freedom of the press may reversed last Aug. 28 its March Oriental Petroleum and Mineral The case against Macasaet In the Tulfo case, So sued af- not be unrestrained, but neither 18 decision which upheld a guilty Resources Corp., and the Rizal was filed in 1999 by former Rizal ter Tulfo accused him of corrup- reined in too harshly. In light of verdict for libel on the staff mem- Commercial Banking Corp. Governor Casimiro Ynares and tion and extortion several times this, considering the necessity of bers of a defunct newspaper. It further noted that the March Narciso Santiago Jr. for articles in his “Direct Hit” column in the a free press balanced with the The CA’s Special Former 15th 18 ruling neglected to note that Macasaet wrote in 1999 in Malaya tabloid Remate in 1999. necessity of a responsible press, Division in its 10-page decision Yuchengco is a public figure who and Abante about a conflict be- On Nov. 17, 2000, the Pasay the penalty of a fine of P6,000 for granted the petition filed by the has served in various govern- tween two cockfighting groups, City RTC Branch 112 found Tulfo, each count of libel, with subsid- staff members of the defunct ment posts, the Malaya newspa- one of which was headed by Cambri, Salao, Barlizo, and iary imprisonment in case of in- newspaper Manila Chronicle ask- per said. Yuchengco has been the Ynares. Pichay guilty of four counts of solvency, should suffice,” the SC ing the appellate court to recon- presidential adviser on foreign Santiago Jr. is the husband of libel. decision said. sider its March 18 decision which affairs since January 2004. administration Senator Miriam The group appealed the deci- It said that the provision for upheld a 2002 Makati Regional The CA explained that this Defensor Santiago while Ynares sion before the Court of Appeals. actual damages has no basis. Trial Court (RTC) ruling order- makes “good intention and jus- is the brother of Supreme Court But the Court denied their appeal “There was no showing of any ing them to pay businessman tifiable motive” and truth ac- Justice Consuelo Ynares- on June 17, 2003 as well as their pecuniary loss suffered by the Alfonso Yuchengco P101 million ceptable defense, Malaya re- Santiago. motions for reconsideration on complainant Atty. So. Without worth of damages and legal fees. ported. “The interest of society Also included in the charge Dec. 11, 2003. They then filed a proof of actual loss that can be The appellants-respondents and maintenance of good gov- sheet are Malaya editors Enrique petition for review before the measured, the award of actual included The Manila Chronicle ernment demand a full discus- P. Romualdez and Joy P. De Los Supreme Court. damages cannot stand.” The fine Publishing Corp., owner Robert sion of public affairs. Complete Reyes. According to Malaya news Tulfo and the other defendants for exemplary damages is also Cuyuito Jr., and editors and re- liberty to comment on the con- editor Minnie Advincula, the argued in their separate petitions “not justified.” porters Neal Cruz, Ernesto duct of public men is a scalpel in CIDG agents did not look for that both the appellate court and Tolentino, Noel Cabrera, Thelma the case of free speech,“ the de- Romualdez or De Los Reyes the Pasay City RTC “erred” in Another petition denied San Juan, Gerry Zaragosa, Donna cision pointed out. when they came to their office to their decision holding them liable The Inquirer reported that Gatdula, Raul Valino, and arrest Macasaet. of criminal libel. Tulfo argued that Yambot, Magsanoc, Molina, and Rodney Diola. Publisher jailed for libel Macasaet, 72, said he was sur- the RTC should have classified his Pascual had earlier petitioned for The Chronicle filed a motion prised by the arrest as he was not articles under “qualified privi- the withdrawal of the 1996 libel for reconsideration before the CA THE PUBLISHER of a known informed of the libel case’s be- leged communication” since So is charges against them after the questioning the Nov. 8 decision anti-government broadsheet was ing filed against him. n PJR REPORTS CRiSiS OCTOBER 2008 15 NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL a political man. I did not sign U Win Tin will be able to resume Saffron Revolution, making them The Bangkok-based New Era document 401, which would his peaceful struggle for press inaccessible from the afternoon Journal also confirmed that its Burmese journalist freed have forced me to give up that freedom and democracy in of Sept. 17. website is also under attack. role. Starting today, I am going Burma.” Distributed Denial of Services This is the second attack after 19 years to continue supporting Aung San For his commitment towards (DDOS) attacks overwhelmed the against the Oslo-based DVB in Suu Kyi and the National League the struggle for press freedom, U websites of the Democratic Voice the past three months. AFTER 19 years in prison, a Bur- for Democracy (NLD). I will Win Tin received several press of Burma (DVB), and the publica- The webmaster of the DVB mese journalist who was also the soon be 80, but I am not going to freedom awards, including the tions The Irrawaddy and the New said it is difficult to determine the longest-serving political pris- stop.” U Win Tin is also a Guillermo Cano World Press Era Journal. DDOS attacks flood level of the attack, adding that oner in military-ruled Burma was founder of the NLD. Freedom Prize awarded by websites with so much auto- they could not predict when the released last Sept. 23 under the International media organi- UNESCO, WAN's Golden Pen of mated requests for data these jam sites will be accessible again. junta’s amnesty program. zation RSF and the Burma Media Freedom and the RSF award for their systems. “We do not know who is be- U Win Tin, former editor of Association were elated with U press freedom. The websites of the three Bur- hind all this, but it is certain that the newspaper Hanthawathi and Win Tin’s release. U Win Tin was imprisoned on mese news agencies have not these are deliberate attacks,” Toe vice-president of the Burma Writ- “We worked together to de- July 4, 1989 for several charges been responding since the after- Zaw Latt said. ers Association, was among sev- fend U Win Tin’s innocence and including anti-government pro- noon of Sept. 17. Sept. 18 marks the anniver- eral detainees who benefited we are immensely relieved that paganda, RSF reported. Eight Mizzima, also an independent sary of the start of street protests from the amnesty. The junta will he has finally been freed,” RSF journalists are still in prison in news service run by exiled Bur- in Yangon which built up to a release 9,002 detainees in prepa- and the Burma Media Association Burma. – RSF/SEAPA mese journalists in New Delhi, violent military crackdown in ration for the upcoming 2010 elec- said in a statement. India, experienced a similar Burma last year. Burmese jour- tions, Reporters Without Borders “It is unacceptable that he was DDOS attack last July. nalists—both inside and outside (RSF) said, quoting the govern- made to serve 19 years in prison Burma news sites attacked The Irrawaddy magazine, an the country—have been worried ment-owned newspaper New for peacefully advocating democ- independent news provider run about how Burma’s junta might Light of Myanmar. racy but today his release is an THE WEBSITES of three leading by Burmese journalists exiled in deal with the anniversary of what RSF reported U Win Tin as historic moment. We hope other Burmese news agencies in exile Chiang Mai, Thailand, said its has come to be known as the “Saf- saying: “I am going to continue journalists and prisoners of con- were attacked on the eve of the website has been facing prob- fron Revolution”.—SEAPA/ practicing politics because I am science will also be freed and that first anniversary of the week-long lems since Sept. 16. Mizzima News Agency n OBiT CHRONiCLE MAGPAYO, 87 Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (Association of gree in journalism from the University THE “FIRST lady of Philippine radio,” Broadcasters of the Philippines). of Washington in 1941. He led news- UNESCO to hold free speech caucus Fidela “Tiya Dely” Magpayo, bid papers in Los Angeles and Philadel- goodbye to almost seven decades of SAMAD, 84 phia. He joined the Seattle Times in THE UNITED Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural hosting radio shows. Magpayo suf- SINGAPORE-BORN journalist Tan Sri 1947. He worked as a national editor Organization (UNESCO) will hold an international symposium fered a stroke during her dzRH program Abdul Samad Ismail, better known as Pak of the Los Angeles Times from 1965 to on issues related to free expression on Oct. 29. The event, on Aug. 30 and passed away two days Samad, died of a lung infection last 1977. He transferred to the Philadel- “International High Level Symposium on Freedom of later. She was 87. Sept. 4. phia Inquirer as an editorial and Op- Expression”, will gather government heads and policymakers Known for her on-air counseling Samad first worked as a cub reporter Ed editor. After retiring in 1987, he and patronage of Filipino music and in the Malay daily Utusan Melayu in taught journalism at the University of as well as representatives from major non-government language, Magpayo held a full sched- 1940. He became a senior staffer and Southern California (USC) Annenberg organizations and media practitioners at UNESCO headquarters ule at the radio station even in her 80s. assistant editor during the war years. School for Communication. in Paris. Her programs included “Serenata Samad was editor of the Japanese-run His honors and awards included The event is part of a year-long campaign to kick off the 60th Pilipina (Filipino serenade)”, Berita Malai and Berita Harian. He was a Distinguished Alumnus Award from anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “Kasaysayan ng mga Liham kay Tiya managing editor and deputy editor in the University of Washington, and an Freedom of expression is stipulated in Article 19 of the Dely (Story of letters to Aunt Dely)”, and chief of the New Straits Times Group by honorary doctorate of Human Letters declaration, which was adopted by the United Nations in Dec. “Ito ang Inyong Lingkod, Tiya Dely (Sin- age 49. He returned to the New Straits from Holy Family College in Philadel- 10, 1948. cerely yours, Aunt Dely)”. Times as editorial adviser in 1981 and phia. He was an inductee into the A two-day exhibition on “The Safety of Journalists” will She began her career in 1939 over again in 2000. Washington State Hall of Journalistic inaugurate the event. The exhibit was organized in partnership radio station kfRF as a singer-an- He was also a founding father of the Achievement at Washington State Uni- with the news agency Reuters. n nouncer with radio comedians Andoy People’s Action Party along with former versity, and recipient of the Distin- Balun-balunan and Dely Atay-atayan. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. guished Achievement in Journalism She later became an actress in various Samad moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malay- award from the USC School of Journal- radio dramas, a disc jockey, a staff an- sia in 1959 after breaking ties with Lee. ism. nouncer, and a host. She joined dzRH As an editor and mentor, he shaped print ERRATUM in 1946, moved to dzXL, then to ABS- journalism in Malaysia with critical ar- PALMER, 77 CBN 2 radio station which was closed ticles on its political life. BOB PALMER, a legendary Colorado down during the martial law period, Samad received the Ramon television news reporter and anchor, IN ITS Sept. 2008 issue, PJR Reports inadvertently combined the obituary for Gilbert Roland Guevara Perez and Gilbert R. Perez. and then moved again to dwWW in Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Litera- died of natural causes on Aug. 19. He Gilbert Roland Guevara Perez, a TV and film director and producer, 1977. She went back to ABS-CBN 2 in ture and Creative Communication Arts in was 77. died July 16 aged 48. He was an executive producer for the defunct 1986 but returned to dzRH in 1990. 1994. Palmer, who attended the Univer- shows “Goin’ Bananas”, “Eh Kasi, Bata (Just a Kid)” and “Ready, Get Magpayo also worked on stage, in sity of Colorado’s journalism school, Set, Go”. He directed TV programs like “Maalaala Mo Kaya (Will you movies, and in television. She was in GUTHMAN, 89 started his career as a writer and re- remember)”, “Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka (In my heart, I will care for you)”, some films by Sampaguita Pictures, LVN, PULITZER PRIZE-winning investigative porter at CBS4 (then known as the “Bituing Walang Ningning (A star with no shine)”, “Super Inggo”, and Larry Santiago Productions. As a journalist and editor Edwin O. Guthman NBC-owned station KOA-TV and later “Maging Sino Ka Man (Whoever you are) Book 2”, “Patayin Sa Sindak singer, she recorded “Pamaypay ng died on Aug. 31 after suffering from a rare became KCNC TV) in 1957. He spent Si Barbara (Scare Barbara to death)” among others. Maynila (Fan of Manila)”, “Sa Ilalim ng disorder called amyloidosis, a complica- 26 years with CBS4. His known directorial films were “Kahit Isang Saglit (Even for just one moment)”, “Trip”, “Jologs”, “Dreamboy”, and “Supah Papalicious”. Ilang-Ilang (Under the Ilang-Ilang)”, tion involving the abnormal buildup of His 40-year career in the Colorado Perez had a heart attack while directing an ABS-CBN 2 television “Pandanggo ni Neneng”, and “Nabasag proteins in tissues and organs. He was 89. broadcast included anchoring more series last July 1 and had not recovered since. ang Banga (The jar is broken)”. In 1950, Guthman won the Pulitzer than 18,000 newscasts. Palmer wrote On the other hand, Gilbert R. Perez, a lifestyle columnist, artist, Her contributions to the broadcast Prize for his distinguished reports in The and reported the award-winning docu- and fashion designer/director, passed away on July 22. He was 76. He industry earned her the Pama-As Seattle Times. His pursuit of stories on mentary, “The Last of the Hyphenated was a professor at the Feati (Far Eastern Air Transport Incorporated) Gintong Bai award from the National the Watergate scandal and association Americans”, an hour-long study on University for 25 years. Commission for Culture and the Arts, with the Kennedys earned him the ire of Colorado’s Hispanic residents which Perez served as art director for several magazines: the midweek Gawad Saguisag Quezon Award, President Richard Nixon and the number aired in 1964. magazine of the Manila Chronicle, People Magazine of the Times Gawad Plaridel from the University of the three spot on Nixon’s “enemies list”. He Palmer was an active member and Journal, and Oh! magazine of Brown Madonna Publishing. Before he died, he was writing the lifestyle column “Manila At Large” for the Philippines College of Mass Communi- also served as a press secretary for Attor- a former president of the Denver Press Philippines Graphic. cation, and a Lifetime Achievement ney General Robert Kennedy. Club. He was also among the first four Our apologies for the mix-up. n Award from the Kapisanan ng mga Guthman earned a bachelor’s de- inductees in the club’s Hall of Fame. n 16 OCTOBER 2008 PJR REPORTS

But what I consider a great stumbling block in the teaching of Press Law and Ethics, sad to say, is our students’ deficiency in English. Almost all local journal- PLANTING ists are at home with the Filipino language, not to say the various local dialects in their particular regions. But not all are as adept as their Manila counterparts. This has nothing to do however, with THE SEEDS any inherent dislike of the lan- guage by provincial journalism students. This is probably due to the prioritization of the national language and putting a premium on the use of Filipino. OF ETHICAL Not that I don’t love my own language, but that there is a prac- tical side to mastering English. Philip- PRACTICE pine laws that ap- n By Winifredo Liwanag Luis poor guy “is a criminal” ply to the anway and therefore “de- press are MONG students of journalism in the prov- served” the beating! based on the rights inces, particularly in Tarlac, the idea of But this is not surpris- enshrined in our Con- combining law and ethics as a subject for ing. The major television stitution—a scripture we networks often show this kind discussion elicits a myriad of opinions and borrowed in form and con- of ethical and legal breach, dis- tent from the Americans. reactions. But a clear line divides the ma- regarding individual rights And most of these laws jority of these views into two major schools of thought, of suspects and vic- can better be under- A tims for the sake of so to speak. stood with a working sensationalism knowledge of the En- The first is the reactive re- ence, its effects, its intricacy and and the usual sponse, by a group composed its beauty. To the reactive stu- glish language. Sure, we ratings. have the courts to inter- mostly of pseudo-activist stu- dents, the subject offers a view of Provincial dents who include among their how the law works, and how, if pret the law for us. It would media organi- be a lot better however if activities leading protest actions, properly interpreted and applied zations, par- or writing for the school paper. by the powers that be, it could be even before we went to the ticularly those courts, we could have a fairly The other response, quite pre- a potent weapon to defend rights. not connected dictably, is the passive response— The only problem with this accurate assessment of our ac- with major Manila tions as journalists. from a group composed mainly “eagerness” and surprising inter- media organizations, of half-hearted journalism stu- est (well, you know how boring The idealism of many jour- often employ and utilize student nalism students is what I believe dents, or those who, in one way a law lecture could be at times) is journalists to augment their per- or the other, simply found them- that students tend to go overboard will carry them to a more mean- sonnel. This training and expo- ingful practice of the profession selves taking up the course. with their questions. More often sure is one of the practical re- Of course this is not a second- than not, these are far-fetched in the years to come. The future quirements of the students in is promising. To be sure, the evils guess delineation, or a whimsi- questions—those that stretch the school. Eventually, some become cal, Solomonic view of the way imagination too far and leave of society will dog them no end. reporters. These former students And the temptations to take things are among students here. you wondering if the situations would sometimes come by and After eight years of teaching they imagine could really happen shortcuts, make a fast buck, or pose questions involving ethical have their integrity compro- Press Law and Ethics at the Tarlac —or those which are completely issues. It is heartwarming to note State University, I may have a unrelated to the issue at hand. mised for whatever purpose, that their interest could dwell on will be always be there. My hope fairly good assessment of the Blame it on the fascination with the ethical issues in what they do impact of the subject. the law. For instance, when the is that the tiny seed of moral as journalists. I don’t want to uprightness planted in the class- I always start with the Con- class discusses the coverage of a think that this is just young ide- stitutional provisions. We ana- rape, or how to interview a rape rooms where journalism and alists’ way of justifying what they ethics are taught will bear fruit lyze the nitty-gritty of the law— victim. The topic readily slides do, but rather, a desire to make a chore where my legal educa- into details of the rape, the law in terms of professional and ethi- things right. cal practice. n tion comes in handy—then pro- on rape, the definition of rape and ...... ceed to review cases, most often how the felony is committed, and involving freedom of expression, so on and so forth. Winifredo Liwanag Luis obtained where the issue of the constitu- This classroom behavior re- a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater tionality of a certain act is put in veals, first, a partial or total lack Arts and Speech Communication question. The latter part is dedi- of knowledge of the law and, sec- at the University of the Philip- cated to Ethics, and the ramifica- ond, a misunderstanding of its pines, and a Bachelor of Laws tions of ethical standards both in relevance in everyday life. I was degree at the Lyceum of the the practice of the profession, and astounded to hear from my stu- Philippines. A broad- its significance in relation to ex- dents for example, that a sus- caster, he is area head isting laws. pected “akyat-bahay” gang mem- for journalism at the My experience is that many ber, or a suspected thief, had no Tarlac State Univer- students are mesmerized with right to complain against the irate sity. the law. This after they get a residents and barangay “tanods” glimpse of its uniqueness, its sci- who beat him up because the MANIX ABRERA