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Negative reportage

President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo spoke on the top-level management conference of broadcasters nationwide at the Club John Hay on Thursday. After she was introduced as the Philippine president with unblemished record on press freedom, she unloaded her cannon criticizing media for the negative reportage on her administration, which she considers an act hindering development. But she used the venue to appeal for support to her “strong republic” which she claims would reestablish the rule of law and press freedom.

My attention was caught on her anti-terror campaign, which she claims as her duty as the president, and her defense against criticisms when she shared her “intelligence report” to the media on a broadcaster’s involvement in bailing out Dawud Santos. Of course, she was referring to Julius Babao of the ABS-CBN without naming him.

Her message identifies the media as “spreading” lies without evidence.

On her allegation aginst Julius Babao, I personally consider it as an attack against press freedom.

It must be pointed out that the president brought out the wrong information to the media basing it on the ISAFP’s report where such report is not substantiated by evidence. After the ISAFP claimed that Babao bailed out Dawud Santos, they then concocted stories like Babao coached and allowed the ABS-CBN van to be used by Dawud. Babao was also claimed as a guarantor to a company for Dawud’s bail. Report shows that he was not.

It is concrete Madam President that your bail out allegation has no evidence at all. It is patent that it was you who shared this information to the media without evidence. But the question that I would ask is your motive in sharing that baseless information.

The allegation against Babao is anti-press freedom. Babao just presented the side of Dawud as part of his role as working journalist. It seems that to present the other side is already a taboo under your administration. It seems that the only role is to present news on your administration. But we owe the public their right to information, which is the paramount role.

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I learned lessons from GMA’s allegation against Babao.

First, the ISAFP’s intelligence, adopted by the president, is presently involved in witch hunting.
Without evidence, they accuse anybody of being anti-government.

Second, if they can do this to a respected journalist from a recognized media institution, they can do it to anybody.

Third, there is a trend that martial rule will be adopted by the president for her to stay in power.

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The anti-terror bill is now ready for debate in congress. The definition of terrorism is very broad that it sweeps anybody to be involved in terrorism. Babao’s presentation, if that bill was approved into law, can be considered as terrorism. If charged, a suspected terrorist cannot bail as the crime will be unbailable. A suspect can also be arrested without warrant and can be detained for 15 days without being charged.

While the fundamental law provides that: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances,” the anti-terror bill in fact will set aside these basic rights. The possible effect of the bill should be discussed by the people before the approval of the law, which institutionalize state terrorism, though GMA already terrorized the media. #

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