‘Reply’ bill to curtail press freedom, solons say

By Charlie V. Manalo

02/27/2009

Progressive lawmakers yesterday cautioned their colleagues against the passage of the Right of Reply Bill, saying the measure threatens to stifle, rather than promote, press freedom in the country.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño said the lawmakers supporting the Right of Reply Bill were going overboard by dictating what and how the media should report.

Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III expressed great reservation over the Right of Reply Bill that has been passed in the Senate on third reading, with the House version also nearing third reading.

“Cure may worsen the problem,” Tañada said.

The two lawmakers voiced their concern over the bill’s passage on the heels of report that the leadership of the House of Representatives would likely approve it, following the passage of the bill’s version in the Senate.

This developed as Reporters Without Borders expressed its support to journalists who are campaigning against the bill that it said would force news media to publish or broadcast the response of anyone claiming to have been unfairly criticized in that media. It said “the right-of-reply should be respected but not imposed by force” as it urged lawmakers to “throw out the bill” instead.

The statement issued by Reporters Without Boarders ran

parallel to Casiño’s view that “it was unreasonable for Congress to dictate on the media how they should publish or present the side of parties.”

“I think it is enough that we say such replies should be given due attention by the reporters and editors, subject to their sound judgment,” said Casiño.

Tañada, chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, stressed that the House should encourage journalists to religiously follow the journalist’s code of ethics. “I think that is enough to ensure that media present a balanced handling of issues from all sides,” he said.

Tañada added that if public figures were tired of news stories depicting them as the evil incarnate, then they should behave and serve as good example of principled leadership.

For Casino, the passage of the Right of Reply bill “ would definitely discourage the media from coming out with critical stories at a time when they are the only source of such information, given the administration’s policy of omerta as far as irregularities are concerned.”

Senate Bill No. 1178, authored by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, seeks require that the replies be published or broadcast in the same space of the newspapers, magazine, newsletter or publication, or aired over the same program on radio, television, and website or through any electronic device within three days.

House Bill No. 3306 authored by Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella, on the other hand, requires media to publish the reply a day after they received it.

The Reporters Without Boarders, as it noted that the House would vote soon on the Right of Reply Bill, echoed local journalists’ concern that the bill was an “act of terrorism against the media.”

It also gave emphasis to an opinion by a lawyer that “the bill would violate a constitutional ban on laws that restrict free speech, freedom of expression and press freedom.”

“As the country’s press councils already allow people to claim the right of reply, the proposed law is seen as way to pressure the media. Editors and media executives fear candidates in next year’s elections will use it to harass journalists,” it added.

Meanwhile, Puentevella submitted his proposed amendments to the bill, a move seen to mollify media groups, especially on matters pertaining to editorial discretion, penalties and the implementation of the proposed measure without curtailing the freedom of the press.

Although he said he recognized the the validity of the concerns aired by the media, Puentevella stressed “the interest of society demands not merely the right to express one’s thoughts but the right to have an educated and enlightened public through a full discussion of public affairs.”

“The Right of Reply bill seeks to promote this practice and does not, in any manner, inhibit the freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in the Constitution,” Puentevella added.

Puentevella expressed hopes that with the proposed amendments, his colleagues will support his bill.

Meanwhile, media men covering the House of Representatives sought a dialog with Speaker Prospero Nograles to discuss the Right to Reply bill.

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