Cebu Citizens Press Council

CCPC starts consultations on media coverage of polls
Sun.Star Cebu, July 2, 2009

CEBU Citizens-Press Council (CCPC) is listening to election stakeholders and media practitioners on how press coverage of the 2010 elections can be improved.

CCPC held Consultation One, the first of such consultations, during its 15th quarterly en banc membership meeting last Thursday, June 25, 2009, at the MBF Cebu Press Center.

Aside from CCPC members, the consultation was attended by representatives of the Commission on Elections, police, Cebu-Citizens’ Involvement and Maturation in People’s Empowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel), Dilaab, Philippine Information Agency 7, and news reporters and editors.

CCPC hopes that by hearing media practitioners and the groups and agencies they cover, both the press and the news sources can exchange information that will help make the conduct of the elections efficient and honest.

“It’s a modest effort and part of CCPC’s mandate to improve media coverage,” said Pachico A. Seares, CCPC executive director.

The other consultations will be held during the last two quarterly CCPC meetings of this year and, in between the said meetings, by conducting opinion surveys and group consultations, Seares said.

Jonathan Capanas presided over the meeting. Mayette Q. Tabada, CCPC member, read the report of Cherry Ann T. Lim, assistant executive director, on CCPC projects. Lim was in Manila to attend a function of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility.

Field ‘knowledgeable’ reporters, Comelec advises news editors

JOURNALISTS covering the elections must have background on election laws and procedures and must be familiar with functions of Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials.

That’s the advice to news editors from Lionel Marco R. Castillano, Cebu provincial election supervisor, who deplored news reporters who lack “working knowledge” of how elections are conducted and election officers designated, the correct titles of election officers, and which Comelec sources to tap.

During Consultation One on improving media coverage of the 2010 elections, Castillano also suggested caution by media in calling a violent incident “election-related.”

P/Supt. Ernesto Agas, public information officer of the regional police office, asked that media allow the police first to verify the real nature of the breach of peace and order, urging reporters to check with police officials or spokespersons, not just the desk officer.

Castillano also wished for more media space and time for information that updates the public on new Comelec resolutions and memoranda affecting the elections.

On familiarity with the election process, Marilu Chiongbian, executive director of C-Cimpel, urged news reporters to visit the areas of assignment before election day to familiarize themselves with the place and the people involved in the elections.

On thrust of coverage, Fr. Carmelo Diola, coordinating steward of Dilaab, asked media to help “level the playing field” so that candidates with lesser means and resources are given equal exposure.

Chiongbian hoped to see media give prominence also to “good news,” such as what civil society is doing to improve voters’ values education. Media need to distinguish fact from fiction and consider the implication of what they report, she said.

News reporters agree on need to improve coverage

NEWS reporters who attended CCPC’s Consultation One agree with critics who say election coverage is often:

•    Superficial, with the propensity of media, especially television, to “focus on personalities rather than issues and platforms”;

•    Misdirected, as “media are consumed by the ‘horse-race’ or ‘cockfight’ aspect of the campaign,” with the reports focusing on “who’s leading and who’s losing out.”

Reporters Karlon N. Rama and Elias O. Baquero (who heads the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists or CFBJ) said they recognize the need “to give voice to the concerns and aspirations of voters” and not just report on conflict, competition and controversy.

They also agreed with the need to help civil society educate voters on electoral values.

Members present at the 15th quarterly membership meeting of the CCPC on June 25, 2009:

Jonathan Capanas (presiding officer)
Mayette Tabada
Mia Embalzado-Mateo
Carlo Dugaduga
Leo Lastimosa
Divine Ngujo
John Rey Saavedra
Connie Fernandez
Pachico Seares
Rolando Morallo