Cebu Citizens-Press Council

CEBU CITIZENS-PRESS COUNCIL STATEMENT
May 8, 2018

News editors and reporters generally recognize reasonable rules on media coverage to make the flow of information “systematic and orderly.”

We are concerned though about the “codified rules” on media coverage released last month by the House of Representatives. They include the provision that the press card of a House-accredited journalist may be revoked:

CEBU CITIZENS-PRESS COUNCIL STATEMENT
March 6, 2018

CCPC offers
definition
of ‘fake news’

The Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC) today released its definition of “fake news” or “false news.”

In five paragraphs, the definition tells what “fake news” is, what it is not, when standards of journalism are violated, and scope of content.

Amid confusing use of the phrase, CCPC believes defining “fake news” and laying down journalism norms will help conversation and debate on the controversial subject.

Pachico A. Seares, CCPC executive director, said the definition sees “fake news” from the viewpoint of media and the public it serves. “The legal definition is for lawmakers to make,” Seares said, referring to two pending bills in the Senate and the House that seek to penalize “fake news.”

Started last Dec. 12, 2017 at the MBF Cebu Press Center, consultations were held by CCPC with representatives of Cebu Media Legal Aid (Cemla), Cebu Association of Communication Educators (Cace), and the mass-com students group Cebu Federation of Journalism and Communication Students.

The panel’s initial statement defining “fake news” and its standards eventually evolved into the version adopted and now publicly released, after more vetting by journalists, lawyers and civic leaders.

Cherry Ann Lim, CCPC deputy director, said the council’s statement on “fake news” is not final. It may still be reviewed and revised as conditions change. Journalism instructor-newspaper columnist Jason Baguia, a member of the panel, said it is a “working definition.”

—————————————————

What ‘fake news’
is. What it is not.

(Cebu Citizens-Press
Council [CCPC] definition)

“Fake news” or “false news” is fabricated
content presented as factual information
in the guise of news.

—

Mistakes in reporting and editing, made
in good faith in the rush of deadline, are
not “fake news” or “false news.” Still such
errors violate journalism standards and shall
be avoided or promptly corrected.

Careful reporting and editing help
prevent publication of “fake news” or “false
news.” Diligent fact-checking hastens exposure
of misinformation and falsehood in content.

—

Published content violates journalism
standards if:

(a) It is materially or substantially
contrary to facts;

(b) It is published with knowledge that
it is false or with reckless disregard of
the facts; and/or

(c) It is deceptive, as its real nature
or origin of publication is concealed or
disguised; or it is malicious, as it
misleads for personal profit or partisan
ends, or tends to inflict harm, sow
hate, or devalue norms of traditional media.

—

Content shall include not only text or
words but also photographs, video clips,
graphics and other material presented as news
or information.

CEBU CITIZENS-PRESS COUNCIL STATEMENT
on Rappler incident
February 21, 2018

Whether Malacañang has the legal right to lock out Rappler news reporter Pia Ranada and CEO Maria Ressa from Malacañang is obscured by the ugly light it casts on a government committed to openness and transparency. Besides, what can it hide from other media that it can by excluding Rappler?

No other president, Palace watchers say, has slammed its door on a news reporter since the Marcos authoritarian regime.

A week after suffering from a brain hemorrhage indicating an aneurysm, Olga Marie “Gingging” A. Campaña, news editor of SunStar Cebu, died on January 18, 2018. She was 46.

After getting her Mass Communication degree from the University of the Philippines Cebu, Campaña wrote Cebuano news and feature stories for Bantay Radyo.

In 1997, after nearly six years in Bantay Radyo, she moved to SunStar Cebu, covering the Cebu City Government for 10 years as a reporter before becoming page editor, then news editor.

COMMENT ON PROPOSED ORDINANCE GRANTING FUND AID TO REPORTERS COVERING ANTI-CRIME OPERATION
—————————–
January 16, 2018

1. Financial aid from the government, local or national, has been occasionally granted and accepted by media. Acceptance by the individual beneficiary, however, depends solely on the recipient and his news organization. Internal rules of each newsroom apply.
2. The Cebu Citizens-Press Council’s (CCPC) concern is only on any of these: