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A statement on the killings of journalists

By Gary Mariano, Chairman
Philippine Press Council

The Philippine Press Council, the ethics body of the Philippine Press Institute, condemns the rising incidence of journalist-killings. We call upon law-enforcement agencies to arrest the perpetrators, prosecute them and punish the guilty.

We are disturbed at the likelihood that these murders were motivated by grudges over things the victims may have expressed in the pursuit of their calling. Our democracy protects journalists in the free exercise of their social duty of providing citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions, as well as to remain free. Free from oppression, injustice, criminality, corruption, poverty and other social ills.

In their quest for the truth, journalists sometimes uncover—and report—painful facts. Or express stinging opinions. While we hold that the truth may hurt, we concede that inaccuracies can hurt even more. After all, journalists are not any less human than the people they cover.

We are not insinuating—and we resist such imputations—that the victims lost their lives because they were irresponsible journalists. What we wish to underscore is that differences with journalists, who are unarmed and should remain unarmed, can be settled civilly.

We suggest and encourage those who feel they have been unfairly treated in the news media to write the editors. We believe most editors to be fair and that they will publish readers’ or news subjects’ rebuttals, especially if they will bring us closer to the truth.

If complainants still feel that they are being ignored by a newspaper, or find the newspaper’s response to be unsatisfactory, they may elevate their case to the Press Council, which has authority on matters of ethics over 94 publications nationwide that comprise the Philippine Press Institute. Composed of senior editors and lay members, the Press Council is committed to protecting readers’ rights, foremost of which is the right of reply. We are authorized, at the very least, to compel the respondent publication to print the rebuttal.

In addition to the Philippine Press Council, there are similar citizens’ press councils in Baguio, Cebu and Palawan.

We offer the Press Council as an alternative to lawsuits, which nonetheless remain an option for aggrieved parties. But definitely nothing justifies killing journalists.

We exhort our colleagues in the news profession to continue to seek the truth, despite the very real threats to their safety, observing the highest professional and ethical standards.

We urge news executives to address readers’ and subjects’ concerns with dispatch, in order to dispel any notion of editorial arrogance and indifference.

Finally, we commend our fallen brethren who have paid the highest price in the name of truth. We offer our prayers and sympathies to their bereaved families and loved ones. May they find peace and happiness in the company of our Lord the God of Eternal Truth. #

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