What are they thinking?

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While browsing through the stories of the day, I came across this item:

Bill threatens Philippine press freedom: media groups

A proposed bill that will grant the right of reply to anyone who feels they have been poorly treated by the media threatens press freedom in the Philippines, media groups said Wednesday.

The Right of Reply Bill, which has wide bipartisan support in both the House of Representatives and Senate, also proposes heavy fines and jail terms for media groups who do not comply.

A version of the bill has been passed in the Senate, while the House is debating a counterpart bill, although officials said it too is likely to pass.

No date has been given for a consolidated version of the bill by a committee of both houses.

What has worried local and foreign media groups is the wording of the bill which says that anyone “accused of a crime or criticised for any lapse in behaviour” shall be given the right to reply in the medium that published or aired the accusation.

“This bill is in direct conflict with the constitution which guarantees press freedom,” Vergel Santos, chairman of the BusinessWorld editorial board, told AFP.

“This is just a bill for the politicians who can say what they like about anyone or anything in both houses where they are protected by privilege but scream like hell when they are criticised,” he said.

“This is just another attempt to muzzle freedom of speech not only for the local media but foreign media as well,” Santos said.

“Once again, press freedom is under siege from political forces insidiously trying to further their personal agenda, this time through legislature,” said Nonoy Espina of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines.

The final bill is expected to impose fines of up to 50,000 pesos (1,037 dollars) for failure to comply or up to six months in jail.

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What the F?

From what I gather, the bill requires the broadcast or publication by media outfits of the reply of parties offended by reports or commentaries.

Both the Senate and House versions of the bill will compel media companies, under threat of being fined, to provide equal space and air time to persons who are subjects of their negative reports. (from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

To wit, “all persons…who are accused directly or indirectly of committing, having committed or intending to commit any crime or offense defined by law, or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in behavior in public or private life shall have the right to reply to charges or criticisms published or printed in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or publications circulated commercially or for free, or aired or broadcast over radio, television, websites or through any electronic devices.”

The legitimate press must be given freedom to broadcast or publish what should be known by the public, and not be hindered, detereed or restrained from exercising its mandate as the Fourth Estate. And the Philippines is blessed with such freedom and power–especially when compared to other Asian countries.

But as Spiderman’s (or Peter Parker’s) uncle said, “With great freedom comes great responsibility.”

I don’t think I need to go into the ghastly horror stories from people who have fallen victim to reckless and unprofessional mediamen. The Philippine Press indeed has a lot of growing up to do.

But the solution to unfair, biased and damaging reportage is not legislation. Rather, it should be to make sure that journalists practice the highest possible standards of professionalism, ethics, conduct and accountability.

The bill should serve as a challenge to all media practitioners to unite and strictly police the ranks–weed out the bad apples from the good ones, so to speak. It should serve as a challenge for media owners and management to address the problems and concerns of journalists–as these are the main reasons why they go astray.

Legislation is not the solution to seeking redress from the press.

Legislation is a myopic, twisted solution proposed by those who want to pursue their own vested interests and agenda, or plain and simply are envious of those deemed “media favorites” and hence get more mileage and share of voice.

Fair and balanced reporting is so Journalism 101–this is textbook journalism. Hence, why should something that journalists should be doing as part of SOP need to be enacted into a law?

Why?

Because of bad apples in the industry?

Or because of vested interests?

Besides, why are spending brain cells, time and taxpayers’ money on legislation that, in the big picture, is unimportant? There are a great, great many more bills pending in both houses of Congress that should be getting more attention–and need to be passed ASAP.

What are these legislators thinking?

If they want more air time or print space, or a bigger share of voice, why not write a letter to the editor or complain? Or just hire a good PR counsellor or consultant?

Don’t mean to sound self-selling here, but wouldn’t those do just as effective a job in seeking redress for grievances versus the press?

 

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