Cebu Citizens-Press Council

ARGUMENTS ON BILLS SEEKING TO PROMOTE WELFARE
OF JOURNALISTS

(Adopted by Cebu print and broadcast editors and representatives of the Cebu Media Legal Aid at a meeting held March 12, 2008 at Cebu City Marriott Hotel)

[1] Government interference.

Proposed creation of a national coordinating council for media and the drafting of a code of conduct for journalists by the office of the press secretary will interfere with functions of the press and impair its freedom.

Newspapers and other print media, broadcast stations, news agencies, and online news organizations are guided by their own codes of standards and ethics and/or the codes of conduct adopted by national media associations such as the KBP and the Philippine Press Institute (PPI); in addition, regional press councils adapt or modify standards that suit to the media environment in their respective communities.

Government and media, though guided by a common interest of public welfare, often disagree on how it is achieved. Media also serves as watchdog on government, a function of check and balance that may be frustrated with government overseeing the press, in whatever guise or form that may take.

[2] Government laws and self-regulation.

Media practices self-regulation, for which news organizations have equipped themselves with their own standards and guidelines.

On top of that, there are already laws and regulations that hold media and journalists accountable for any excess or abuse, such as the laws on libel, contempt, national security, obscenity, and the like. Besides, in case that is overlooked, all other penal laws apply to journalists as well.

[3] Labor laws adequate.

There are existing laws, in the Labor Code and special laws, that protect members of the labor sector, including journalists.

Situations not applicable under those laws, because of some peculiar conditions in the journalists’ work environment and practices, can be covered by negotiation and persuasion in dialogues with employers as well as by the influence of market forces.

While journalists are grateful for the concern of legislators, especially Sen. Loren Legarda and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who filed Senate bills aimed to promote the welfare of journalists, Cebu print and broadcast editors and lawyers representing Cebu Media Legal Aid (Cemla) believe the press can serve its public more fully and efficiently with the least interference by government.